FARGO, N.D. – The North Dakota State women's basketball team extended its season-best win streak to five games after downing Denver, 86-65, on Saturday afternoon at Scheels Center in front of 1,255 fans.

Elle Evans led the way for NDSU (16-9, 10-2 Summit) logging her sixth 20-point game of the season with 20 points on 8-of-15 shooting from the field. She also grabbed seven rebounds with one steal and one assist. Heaven Hamling added in 11 points with a team-best eight rebounds and five assists. The Grand Rapids, Minn., native moved into the top five on the NDSU all-time scoring list passing Darci Steere (1990-94) for fifth place with 1,589 points as a Bison.

As a team, NDSU shot 59.6 percent (34-57) from the field, including 75.0 percent (9-12) in the second quarter. The Bison also netted 46 points in the paint and the bench added in 30 points. Miriley Simon registered 11 points and Avery Koenen also reached double figures in scoring off the bench with 10 points.

After building up a 20-16 advantage in the first quarter, the Bison erupted outscoring the Pioneers (7-19, 4-9 Summit), 23-9, in the second frame. NDSU stole momentum with a 12-0 run capped off by a triple from Simon with 4:48 to play in the half. The Bison then rattled off nine straight points to extend their lead to 41-21 after Abby Schulte delivered a layup with 1:48 on the clock. NDSU went on to hold off Denver over the final two quarters to secure the 86-65 victory.

NDSU will be back in action at St. Thomas on Thursday night. Tip-off is set for 7:00 p.m.