JONESBORO, Ark.--Arkansas State University went on a 12-1 run to close out the first half and never looked back in defeating cold-shooting North Dakota State University 67-45 in a non-conference women's basketball game played Wednesday, Jan. 4, before a crowd of 1,604 at the Convocation Center.

NDSU (6-7) is scheduled to play at Idaho State University (5-7) at 3:05 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 7, in Pocatello. The Bengals play at fellow Division I independent Utah Valley State on Thursday, Jan. 5.

North Dakota State had tied the game at 20-20 with 4:31 left in the first half on an offensive rebound and layup by Katie Lorenz, but the Lady Indians (6-7) gained control on a pair of Katie Caraway free throws with 3:48 remaining and never were threatened again.

Arkansas State, which snapped a four-game losing streak with the win, took advantage of a Ronnie McLaughlin three-pointer to go ahead 25-0. The Bison trimmed the lead to 25-21 as Lisa Bue hit one of two free throws, but it was the last point of the first half for NDSU.

The Lady Indians went on to score seven unanswered points to take a 32-21 halftime lead. Caroline Starr connected on a pair of free throws, Kelsey Lock wiggled free for a jumper and Rudy Sims found Lock inside for an easy two to highlight the run.

Things went from bad to worse for North Dakota State in the second half, going without a field goal for nine minutes and without a point for seven minutes. The 45 points on offense was the lowest output since the Bison finished with 43 points last year against TCU.

NDSU shot 27 percent from the field for the game compared to 34.8 percent for the Lady Indians. Arkansas State held a 58-42 advantage on the boards including 15 offensive rebounds and scored 25 points off of 16 Bison turnovers. 

North Dakota State didn't have an answer for the ASU guard Sims, who netted a game-high 16 points on a variety of shots including a pair of offensive putbacks. Sims grabbed six rebounds, dished out five assists and added a pair of steals.

Sims was one of three ASU players in double-figures as Moorhead's Amber Abraham scored 12 points on four second half three-pointerss. Lock finished with 12 points and 12 rebounds.

NDSU placed only one player in double-figures as Kayla Dahlen tallied 13 points, hitting 5-of-7 from the field including 3-of-3 from the three-point line. Danni Heintzelman matched a career-high with 11 rebounds. Lorenz had eight points, seven rebounds, two assists and a pair of steals.