Box Score (PDF)

EDINBURG, Texas – The North Dakota State University women's basketball team fell to the UC Santa Barbara Gauchos, 66-59, on Tuesday, Dec. 20, in The University of Texas at Rio Grande Valley Battle on the Border at UTRGV Fieldhouse in Edinburg, Texas.

The Bison (2-11) were led by Taylor Thunstedt with 16 points on 5-of-11 shooting from the field, while Sarah Jacobson matched her career-high with 14 points and four steals.

Thunstedt was named to the UTRGV Battle on the Border All-Tournament Team.

Emily Spier and Brianna Jones each snagged seven boards, leading North Dakota State on the glass.

NDSU shot 41 percent from the field and 47 percent from three-point range in the game, but only made 8-of-17 free throws for 47 percent.

The Bison were outrebounded by the Gauchos (5-7), 47-27, and only had 12 assists compared to 21 for UCSB.

UC Santa Barbara was paced by Aliceah Hernandez, who scored 12 points and went 4-for-5 from three-point range, while Drew Edelman posted a double-double with 11 points and 10 rebounds.

North Dakota State begins Summit League play on Wednesday, Dec. 28, at 7 p.m. inside the Scheels Center at the Sanford Health Athletic Complex against South Dakota State.