LAWRENCE, Kan.--Eastern Illinois University defeated North Dakota State University 7-6 in eight innings, and UNI topped the Bison 5-1 in the KU Invitational on Saturday, March 7, at Arrocha Park.

North Dakota State (9-6) is scheduled to close out KU Invitational against Eastern Illinois (9-5) at 10 a.m. and the host Jayhawks (8-13) at noon Sunday, March 8.

The Bison sparked by Richel Briones' three-home run in the first inning built a 5-1 lead against Eastern Illinois before the Panthers exploded for five runs in the top of fifth inning.

EIU took advantage of four hits, a hit batter and Angela Danca's bases-clearing triple to take a 6-5 advantage.

NDSU tied the game 6-6 in the bottom of the sixth on Melissa Chmielewski's two-out single to chase home Elisa Victa.

Using international tiebreaker rules, Eastern Illinois scored the game-winning run on a ground out.

Andi Padilla (6-3) picked up the loss in relief for North Dakota State. Padilla allowed one hit, struck out two and walked three over the final 4.1 innings. Amber May (6-3) pitched the final five innings for the Panthers. May allowed four hits and struck out four

The Bison outhit Eastern Illinois 11-9. Chmielewski paced NDSU with a double and two singles, while Laurel Pipkin and Victa each added three hits.

In the second game, Northern Iowa used a Kelly Papesh grand slam to break the game open. It was one of four hits allowed by Bison starter Randi Parks (2-2) who struck out one and issued no walks during the game.

Pipkin and Briones each had two hits for NDSU, which left seven runners on base.

Melissa Tillett (3-2) struck out two and walked one to record the complete game win.