Defensive play that the Blue Hawks (3-3, 5-18 overall) executed allowed them to pad their lead early. Particularly in the second quarter, allowing only six points from Presentation College (1-4, 4-13 overall). DSU head coach Eric Nelson said their defensive preparation for the game was well applied and merited their 66-45 win.
“We were doubling the post. Presentation has a really good post, she averages a double-double and we did a really good job at doubling her, keeping the balls out of her hands trying to get some of the other girls to take shots,” Nelson said. “Their post game is where they’re the best and I thought we did a good job at taking that away from them.”
The Saints held the lead for the majority of the first quarter, tallying four of their seven total steals. Dickinson State tied it up twice before taking their first lead of the game with 1:28 left in the quarter at 13-11.
The first would end with a 15-13, but in the second quarter, the Blue Hawks began to separate themselves from Presentation College.
With 12 rebounds, six steals and not giving up any free throw opportunities, Dickinson State would go on a 17-6 run. They ended the first half with a 13-point lead at 32-19.
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“We had a really good effort defensively. We rebounded really well,” Nelson said.” Even though we didn’t shoot the ball extremely well our defense kept us in it and allowed us to cruise to a win,”
The Saints found themselves unable to climb out of the hole, committing eight turnovers in the third quarter. The largest lead of the night came in the fourth quarter deep in the stretch at 63-39.
At the end of the game it was forward Courtney Olsen that led Dickinson State with 23 points and eight rebounds and going 5-for-5 at the charity stripe. As a team the Blue Hawks were 91 percent at the line, had 50 rebounds and created 19 points from turnovers.
Dickinson State will be looking for their fourth conference win Saturday, Jan. 22 against Mayville State.
“We played really well defensively, we held them to 45 points which in college basketball you don’t see that too often,” Nelson said. “It was a good win tonight, but we got to have another quick turn around in another game tomorrow.”
