FARGO, N.D. – The North Dakota State women's basketball team came up short against South Dakota, 78-59, on Thursday night at Scheels Center.

Heaven Hamling paced the Bison (8-12, 4-6 Summit) with a team-high 14 points on 4-of-7 shooting from three. Abby Schulte added in a season-high 12 points and tied a season-best six free throws on eight attempts. Olivia Skibiel and Ryan Cobbins each contributed eight points.

NDSU started out the contest with six unanswered points to steal a 6-0 lead after Cobbins navigated the lane for layup. The Coyotes (17-4, 10-0 Summit) were able to pull their way back grabbing their first lead of the night, 14-13, with 2:42 to play in the opening frame. South Dakota led after the first quarter, 19-16.

The Coyotes, who were ranked No. 7 in the Mid-Major Top 25 Poll this week, began the second frame with eight unanswered points to extend their lead into double digits, 27-16, at the 8:03 mark. South Dakota led at the intermission, 40-29. The Bison pushed back in the third quarter cutting the deficit down to single digits, 45-36, after Hamling drained a triple. However, NDSU couldn't pull any closer and went on to drop the contest, 78-59.

NDSU will continue its homestand against South Dakota State (13-8, 9-1 Summit) on Saturday. Tip-off is set for 7:00 p.m. at Scheels Center.