FARGO, N.D. - Holly Johnson had 22 points, 13 rebounds and four blocks to power North Dakota State to an 82-68 win over Brandon University in exhibition women's basketball Monday, Dec. 29, at the Bentson Bunker Fieldhouse.

Brooke LeMar added 17 points, 10 assists and four steals for NDSU, which scored five players in double figures.  Emily Spier finished with 12 points, Marena Whittle had 11 points and 12 rebounds, and Kahla Becken scored 10 points.

North Dakota State opened a 19-4 lead less than six minutes into the game, but the Bison went cold. Brandon knotted the game at 26-26 before Johnson's bucket with 4:11 in the first half snapped a five-minute scoring drought and put the Bison ahead for good.

NDSU led 41-36 at halftime and ramped up its defense to hold Brandon to just 27 percent shooting in the second half.  The Bison blocked nine shots, made 17 steals and scored 33 points off turnovers in the game.

Brandon held a 50-49 edge in rebounding, but NDSU converted 24 second-chance points.  Johnson and Whittle each had six offensive rebounds.

Alyssa Montgomery had 21 points for the Bobcats, Mikaela Stanton scored 15, and Amy Williams finished with 14 points and 10 rebounds.

North Dakota State (4-8) opens Summit League play at home against Oral Roberts (6-7) at 4 p.m. Friday, Jan. 2, and South Dakota State (9-4) at 1 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 4.  Both games will be played at Scheels Arena.