PROVO, Utah--Delaney Willard hit a three-run home run to highlight a four-run third inning as host Brigham Young University defeated North Dakota State in a non-conference softball game played before 201 fans at Gail Miller Field. The Cougars extended their home winning streak to 19 games.

NDSU (24-25, 14-7 Summit) is scheduled to close out the regular season with a three-game series against Centenary College (5-33, 2-19 Summit) on Friday, May 6, and Saturday, May 7. The Bison are in a three-way tie with IPFW and Southern Utah for second in the league standings behind first place UMKC (15-5).

North Dakota State jumped out to a 3-0 lead in the top of the third inning. Jamie Gay reached on an infield single and moved to second on Brandi Enriquez single down the left field line. Gay and Enriquez moved up a base on Nicole Rivera's sacrifice bunt. Gay scored on Elisa Victa's single and moved to second on the throw. Enriquez and E.Victa scored on Taylor Mortensen's two-run double to left center.

BYU (32-15) answered with four runs in the bottom of the third to take a 4-3 lead. Willard belted a three-run home run to right field on a 3-2 pitch with two outs, while Jessica Purcell-Fitu added a sacrifice fly.

The Cougars extended the lead to 6-3 in the bottom of the sixth on Kristin Delahoussaye's two-run home run to center.

Whitney Johnson (17-11) picked up the loss. Johnson struck out eight, walked seven and allowed six hits. Tori Almond, Hannah Howell (4-2) and Paige Affleck worked on the mound for BYU. The trio struck out eight, walked six and allowed four hits. Howell earned the win and Affleck recorded her third save of the season.

Willard went 2 for 3 to pace the Cougars.