VERMILLION, S.D. – The North Dakota State women's basketball team opened up a double-digit lead in the first quarter and never looked back to earn an 84-69 win over South Dakota to begin Summit League play in front of 1,818 fans at Sanford Coyote Sports Center on Friday night.

With the win, the Bison improve to 6-6 (1-0 Summit) overall and start Summit League play 1-0 for the third straight season. It also marks the third consecutive win over South Dakota (10-4, 0-1 Summit) after the Bison swept the regular season series last season.

Elle Evans sparked the Bison scoring the first seven points to make the score 7-0 after a layup at the 8:09 mark. NDSU then pushed its advantage into double digits after Miriley Simon, who made her first career start, connected on a fastbreak layup to extend the edge to 12-2 with 4:28 to play in the quarter.

South Dakota, who entered the week ranked No. 21 in the College Insider Top 25 Poll, attempted to get a rally started to close the first half trimming the lead down to single digits, 36-27, after a Tori DePerry drained a layup and free throw with 1:42 to play in the second quarter. NDSU responded starting the third quarter on a 9-2 run capped off by a layup from Abby Krzewinski to stretch the lead to 45-29 with 8:05 on the clock. The Bison went on to close out the remaining time to earn the 84-69 victory.

Heaven Hamling led the way with a season-high 24 points on 9-of-15 shooting from the field to go along with three rebounds and three assists. Evans registered her first double-double of the season with 14 points and a season-high 10 rebounds. Krzewinski closed out the top performers tying a season-high 14 points with six rebounds.

As a team, NDSU shot a season-best 54.2 percent (32-59) from the field with nine different players reaching the scoring column. The Bison also grabbed 42 rebounds in comparison to the Coyotes' 26.

NDSU will travel to Montana State on Wednesday for the Big Sky-Summit League Challenge. Tip-off is set for 6:30 p.m. CT