Box Score (PDF)

GRAND FORKS, N.D. - The North Dakota (10-14, 5-6 Summit) women's basketball team closed the game on a 16-5 run in the last 3:36, downing the North Dakota State (6-16, 3-7 Summit) Bison 70-58.

Trailing 7-6 midway through the opening quarter, the Bison used a 7-0 run in 1:28 span to take a 13-7 lead. A bucket by Marina Fernandez with :26 left in the quarter gave NDSU a 21-17 lead after the first quarter. 

A 3-pointer and free throw by Michelle Gaislerova with 5:35 to play in the first half gave NDSU a 30-23 lead. The Fighting Hawks ended the half on a 7-1 run, cutting the NDSU lead to 31-30 after the opening half.

The Fighting Hawks extended the run into the second half, using a 10-2 run in the first 4:35 of the third quarter to take a 40-33 lead. A layup by Danneka Voegeli started an 8-0 Bison run, as a pair of free throws by Sofija Zivaljevic gave NDSU a 43-42 lead with :11 left in the quarter. A free throw by Mikayla Reinke with :05 left tied the game going into the fourth quarter.

North Dakota scored the first seven points of the fourth quarter, taking a 50-43 lead with 8:23 to play. Tyrah Spencer scored six-straight points for the Bison, cutting the lead to one with 5:20 to play. The lead was still at one with 3:36 to play when Jill Morton hit a 3-pointer to start the 16-5 run to close the game.

Emily Dietz led the Bison with 13 points, her 10th double digit scoring game of the season. Gaislerova added 11 points, while Rylee Nudell had nine. It was the 18th double digit scoring game of the year for Gaislerova. Lexi Klabo led the Fighting Hawks with 26 points and 12 rebounds. Fernandez finished with nine rebounds, while Dietz and Nudell each had six. Fernandez had a pair of assists for NDSU.

NDSU was 19-of-46 (41.3%) from the field and 3-of-14 (21.4%) from 3-point range. The Bison missed all seven attempts from deep in the second half. The Fighting Hawks were 25-of-61 (41%) from the floor and 3-of-9 from downtown. Both teams were 17-of-25 (68%) at the free throw line. North Dakota had advantages in points off turnovers (13-4), second chance points (18-9) and bench points (20-9).

The Bison return to action on Saturday, Feb. 9, as they start a four-game home stretch. NDSU will face Denver in the first game of the stretch at 1 p.m. on Saturday.