FARGO, N.D. – The North Dakota State women's basketball team came up short in the final seconds against Western Illinois, 61-59, on Thursday night at Scheels Center.

The Bison (9-15, 5-9 Summit) trailed by as many as 17 points in the first half before storming back outscoring the Leathernecks (13-10, 4-8 Summit) in the third frame, 23-7, to pull within one, 49-48, after three quarters of play. NDSU then stole a four-point edge, 55-51, after Reneya Hopkins found Emily Dietz for a jumper with 5:22 remaining. The Leathernecks answered right back locking the contest, 59-59, with 15 seconds to play. Elizabeth Luth then buried two free throws to give Western Illinois a 61-59 advantage with two seconds on the clock. NDSU was unable to get anything going on the inbound and went on to drop the contest, 61-59.

Reneya Hopkins notched a team-high 13 points to go along with three assists and two steals. Abby Schulte tied a season-high 12 points, while Dietz contributed 10 points of her own. Heaven Hamling hauled in a game-high and career-best 11 rebounds and added in seven points.

NDSU shot 38.3 percent (23-60) from the field and 90.9 percent (10-11) from the free throw line. The Bison scored 38 points in the paint and 10 points off of turnovers.

NDSU will be back in action hosting St. Thomas (6-16, 3-9 Summit) on Saturday. Tip-off is set for 1:00 p.m. at Scheels Center.