DICKINSON, N.D. -- The Dickinson State University women's basketball team pulled away late for a 68-54 victory over Bellevue University Friday night in North Star Athletic Association Action at Scott Gymnasium.
The loss snapped a three-game BU winning streak, dropping the Bruins to 7-5 overall and 1-1 in the NSAA. DSU improved to 4-4 on the season and 2-1 in league play.
Caletria Curtis led the Bruins with 17 points and five rebounds. Beth Walker recorded her second double-double of the season, finishing with 13 points and 10 rebounds.
Ashley Bentz-Laub led the Blue Hawks with 17 points and eight rebounds. Loma Shepherd added 12 points and six boards.
After a short jumper by Cassidy Hubbs gave the Bruins an early 14-11 lead, DSU closed the first quarter on an 8-2 run to grab a 19-16 advantage at the end of the first frame. Curtis (7), Walker (5) and Hubbs (4) scored all 16 of BU's points in the opening quarter.
Curtis added eight more points in the second quarter to give her 15 in the first half, but the Bruins couldn't slice into the lead as the Blue Hawks went into the locker room with a 38-34 edge, thanks to a 48-percent shooting effort from the field.
DSU scored the first 10 points of the second half to push the lead to 14 points at 48-34 with seven minutes left in the third quarter. The Bruins battled back with five-consecutive points and closed the stanza on an 11-1 run to pull to within four points at 49-45 heading into the final quarter.
After a jumper by Taylor Cormier brought the Bruins to within two points early in the fourth quarter, DSU scored 10-straight points before securing the 68-54 victory.
The Bruins will travel to Valley City, N.D. on Saturday (Dec. 10) for a 6 p.m. NSAA contest against Valley City State University.
