Box Score (PDF)

FARGO, N.D. – The North Dakota State University women's basketball team outscored Dickinson State 21-12 in the fourth-quarter to claim a 70-63 win over the Blue Hawks on Saturday night, Nov. 12, in front of 1,082 spectators inside the Scheels Center at the Sanford Health Athletic Complex. It was the regular season opener for the Bison and the first official women's basketball game inside the new facility.

North Dakota State (1-0) junior Taylor Thunstedt drilled seven threes and finished the game with 25 points to lead all scorers. The Spicer, Minn., native netted 19 of her 25 points in the second-half and also had three steals in the game.

Freshman Sarah Jacobson also reached double figures in the contest, netting 12 points to go along with a team-high four assists.

Seniors Emily Spier and Brianna Jones each snagged nine rebounds, with Spier reaching double figures with 10 points.  

Trailing 54-51 with 9:30 to go in the fourth quarter, Thunstedt splashed home a three and converted a layup, giving the Bison a 56-54 lead with 7:18 to go in the period. It was NDSU's first lead since early in the second quarter.

The Blue Hawks cut the lead to 57-56 with a jumper from Ashley Bentz-Laub with 5:37 on the clock, but Thunstedt sank back-to-back treys to keep NDSU in front.

Dickinson State trimmed the advantage to four with 3:46 remaining, but, again, Thunstedt answered, sinking another three to put NDSU up seven, 66-59, with 3:28 to go. The Blue Hawks would get no closer than five the rest of the game.

The Bison shot 39 percent from the field in the game and 48 percent from three-point range. NDSU outrebounded Dickinson State, 43-38.

Lorna Shepherd scored 22 points on 8-for-17 shooting from the field to lead the Blue Hawks.

North Dakota State is scheduled to begin a two-game road trip Monday, Nov. 14, at the University of Massachusetts. Tip-off in Amherst, Mass., is slated for 7 p.m. ET (6 p.m. CT).