FARGO, N.D. – After nine days idle, the North Dakota State women's basketball team grinded out a 67-57 victory over Central Michigan on Wednesday night at Scheels Center.

With the win, the Bison improve to 5-6 on the season, including a 4-0 mark at Scheels Center. Abbie Draper led the way for NDSU with a game-high 16 points on 5-of-8 shooting from the field and tying a career-high six free throws on six attempts. She also added five rebounds with one block and one assist to her stat line.

Abby Krzewinski netted a season-high 14 points after shooting 6-of-6 from the field, while Elle Evans chipped in 11 points and a team-best six rebounds. Abby Schulte, who surpassed the 200-career assists mark, rounded out the top performers with a season-high five assists and tied a career-high four steals.

As a team, the Bison shot 39.7 percent (25-63) from the field and 84.2 percent (16-19) from the free throw line. NDSU also posted 38 points in the paint and 17 points off of turnovers.

NDSU got off to a quick start opening up a 10-2 lead at the 4:27 mark of the first quarter following a jumper from Evans. The Bison, who shot 44.4 percent from the field in the first half, stretched their lead to 14, 33-19, with 31 seconds to play in the second quarter after a Krzewinski drained a layup.

NDSU went on to grow its largest lead of the contest, 56-32, by the 1:45 mark of the third quarter following a pair of free throws from Heaven Hamling. Central Michigan (1-8) made a late run in the fourth frame hitting three triples to cut the edge down to six, 61-55, after Tiana Timpe connected on a three-pointer. However, NDSU was able to hold off Central Michigan the rest of way to secure the 67-57 victory.

NDSU will be back in action to begin Summit League play at South Dakota on Friday, Dec. 29. Tip-off is set for 7:00 p.m. CT