DICKINSON, N.D. – Minot State University's frantic comeback fell just short.

The Beavers made things interesting down the stretch with tenacious defense, but couldn't quite complete the comeback against Dickinson State.

The Blue Hawks made just enough free throws down the stretch to keep MSU from winning its fourth straight game, taking 71-67 in Dakota Athletic Conference men's basketball play Wednesday at Scott Gymnasium.

“I was proud of our effort. This was our first foray into an environment like this,” said MSU head coach Peter Stewart. “At times our defense let us down and down the stretch we still have to get better.”

The Blue Hawks missed a bunch of free throws over the first 30 minutes of the game, but were solid down the stretch. Mainly, Nate Lebsock was solid as he knocked down 15 of 15 from the line, most late. Lebsock led the Blue Hawks with 25 points despite a 4 of 14 shooting night.

Free throws proved to be the key in the game as the Blue Hawks hit 34 of 42, outshooting the Beavers 42 to 20 and outscoring MSU 34-11.

“They shot 42 free throws and we shoot 20…,” said Stewart.

MSU (8-11 overall, 2-3 DAC) looked all but dead with just over a minute to play and the Blue Hawks leading by seven. But MSU sprinted to a 5-0 run in about 20 seconds, capped by an Anthony Enriquez (Jr., G, Tacoma, Wash.) steal and layup.

The Hawks (12-7, 5-0) missed one of two free throws on the next possession, giving MSU a chance to tie. But, Jason West (Sr., G, Lompoc, Calif.) was fouled before he could get a shot off. West made 1 of 2, but Tevin Hurd countered with two free throws to ice the game with just seven seconds to play.

“I don't like losing and they didn't like losing, but we competed,” Stewart said. “We didn't give up. We are at a point where we can say we competed and played hard.”

The Beavers led early, taking a 19-12 lead on an Enriquez 3-pointer with 9:58 to play in the first half. The Blue Hawks made a run late in the half as the teams were tied at halftime.

Dickinson opened up a lead early in the second half before MSU made its first run. A big part of the run was pressure, full court defense in general and tenacious play by West specifically. West finished with MSU's first triple double of the year scoring 16 points, swiping 10 steals, pulling down 10 rebounds and dishing out seven assists for good measure.

Along with Lebsock, Derek Pauley scored 11 points, Hurd added 10 points in the win. Matt Lee finished with a game-high 17 rebounds and scored nine points for DSU.

Nathaniel Packineau (Sr., G, Parshall, N.D.) hit four 3-pointers and also scored 16 points for the Beavers. Enriquez added 13 points.

“Hats off to Nathaniel, he had a solid game. Jason continues to do what he has done for us,” Stewart said.

The Beavers are on the road Thursday at NCAA Division I University of North Dakota for their last exhibition game of the  season starting at 8 p.m.