FARGO, N.D.--North Dakota State University outscored Milwaukee 37-14 in the second half and broke a five-game losing streak with a 60-48 win in a non-conference women's basketball game played Sunday, Dec. 23, before 212 at the Bison Sports Arena.

North Dakota State (4-8), which won for the first time since Nov. 21 against Prairie View A&M, opens Summit League play at four-time league champion South Dakota State (8-5) at 2 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 30 in Brookings.

The Bison trailed Milwaukee (4-7) by as many as 13 points and 34-23 at halftime, but followed the lead of Katie Birkel and Jamie Van Kirk, who combined to score 23 points in the second half.

North Dakota State gradually cut into the deficit and tied the game at 42-42 on a Hannah Linz three-pointer with 10:08 remaining.

Linz' third three-ball of the game started a 15-0 run with Dani DeGagne, Birkel and Van Kirk all scored during the blitz. A DeGagne jumper put the Bison ahead 54-42 with 4:43 left to play.

DeGagne led NDSU with 16 points, Van Kirk followed with 15 including 11 in the second half, and Birkel added 14 including 12 in the final period. Whittle pulled down 11 rebounds, her third double-figure effort of the season. The Bison held a 46-37 advantage on the boards.

North Dakota State shot 40 percent from the field in the second half and 33.9 percent for the game. Milwaukee connected on 20 percent from field in the second half and 28.6 percent overall.

The Bison made 17 of 18 free throws including all six attempts in the final two minutes. Birkel made 6 of 6 from the charity stripe.

Milwaukee was paced by the 16 points from Angela Rodriguez and Sami Tucker added 11 points.