DICKINSON, N.D. -- A career-high 28 points from Morgan Baird pushed the Battlin' Bears over Dickinson State 81-74 Friday evening. 

Dickinson State got out to an early lead on Friday, hitting four three-pointers and grabbing three offensive rebounds in the first quarter as the Battlin' Bears trailed 24-19 after the first quarter. Morgan Baird hit a layup with a minute remaining in the second quarter for her 16th point, tying the game at 35-35 going into the halftime break. 

The Rocky offense exploded in the third quarter for 27 points to break out to a sizeable lead. Six different Battlin' Bears scored in the quarter, as Rocky shot 11-of-22 from the field and 3-of-9 from three-point range, while also forcing seven Blue Hawk turnovers in the quarter as they took a 62-48 lead going into the fourth quarter. A late 10-2 run by Dickinson State brought their deficit back to single digits late in the fourth quarter, but Rocky's 9-of-10 shooting from the free throw line secured a seven-point victory. It is Rocky's 11th consecutive victory over the Blue Hawks. 

Morgan Baird led all scorers with a career-high 28 points on 13-of-18 shooting from the field. Friday's performance was Baird's third game with 20 or more points this season. Dominique Stephens finished with 15 points, four rebounds, and five assists, Ky Oliver scored 14 points and grabbed seven rebounds, and Gracee Lekvold tallied 11 points and eight rebounds. Iliana Moran added eight points and three steals. 

The Rocky women shot 45.7% from the field (32-of-70), 25% from three-point range (five-of-20), and hit 12-of-15 free throw attempts.