HELENA, Mont. - It's been a historic start to Frontier Conference play for the Fighting Saints, as they move to 7-0 in league play for the first time following a 100-71 blowout over Dickinson State on Saturday evening inside the CC PE Center.

For the first time since 2018, the Fighting Saints (8-1, 7-0) have stacked back-to-back 100-point performances (vs Salish Kootenai 151-72, vs Northwest 101-60 | Nov. 23-24, 2018).

Knocking down shots wasn't an issue for the Saints in the opening 20 minutes, as they shot 61 percent from the floor as a team (16-26), 50 percent from beyond the arc (4-8), and 100 percent at the stripe (4-4). Turnovers, however, limited the effectiveness of the high-octane Carroll offense and kept the Blue Hawks in the game. Entering the weekend, the Saints averaged fewer than 10 turnovers per game, but 11 first half turnovers would lead to a slim 40-39 lead at the break.

Isaiah Crane (Portland, Ore. / R-SO) was perfect from the floor in the first frame, going 4-4 from the floor with a pair of three's to lead Carroll with 10 points, while four different Saints kicked-in seven points each (Dela Cruz, Harrison, Christy, Jones).

The first half turnover struggles disappeared coming out of the break, however, and for the second-straight night Carroll pulled away with an extended run. The Saints sprinted out of the gates in the second half, going on a 23-4 run over the first seven minutes - spurred by three-straight triples from Crane on consecutive possessions.

Lorence Dela Cruz continued his monster weekend, impacting the game in a big way on both ends of the court. The senior guard tallied three steals and a pair of boards in the second half, while adding eight points and a trio of assists. 

The Saints were relentless defensively in the second half, holding the Blue Hawks to just 36 percent from the field (36 percent), and forced 12 turnovers in the frame - all the while, limiting their own free possessions with a much more normal four turnovers of their own.

Crane's 25-point night came on a near-perfect 10-12 effort from the floor while going 5-6 from range. He also added five rebounds and pair of assists.

While Crane led the scoring effort, Dela Cruz was perhaps the most important player on the court on Saturday. The senior was outstanding, finishing with 15 points and five rebounds, as well as game-highs in assists with nine, and steals with six.

Carroll will be undefeated in conference play entering the 2026 portion of their schedule, but will still have three more games before the calendar flips. Next week, they'll head down to Arizona for the annual Cactus Classic, taking on three desert-based schools in Benedictine-Mesa, Embry Riddle, and Arizona Christian.