FARGO, N.D. – The North Dakota State women's basketball team dismantled North Dakota, 107-80, to extend its win streak to seven games on Saturday afternoon at Scheels Center in front of 2,502 fans.
With the win, the Bison complete the regular season sweep of North Dakota and improve to 18-9 (12-2 Summit) on the season. NDSU also pushed its season-best win streak to seven games, which is the longest winning streak for the Bison since winning 24 straight in the 2004-05 season. Additionally, head coach
Jory Collins notched his 73rd win with the Bison to move into second place all-time in program history behind Amy Ruley, who won 671 career games.
NDSU had six players reach double figures in scoring with
Elle Evans setting the pace with her third straight 20-point performance with 21 points on 5-of-7 shooting from three.
Heaven Hamling poured in 17 points with a game-high five assists.
Abby Schulte filled her stat line with 15 points, career-high six steals, five rebounds and four assists.
Miriley Simon (15),
Abbie Draper (14) and
Leah Mackenzie (11) also reached double digits in scoring.
As a team, the Bison drained 15 three-pointers on 23 attempts with seven different players contributing at least one. That mark is tied for the fifth-most all-time and one away from the program record of 16, which the Bison have reached in four separate games. NDSU also shot 59.6 percent (34-57) from the field and 75.0 percent (24-32) from the free throw line.
NDSU got off to fast start shooting 63.2 percent from the field in the opening quarter to build up a 31-16 lead at the 1:10 mark after Evans drained a triple. The Bison then stretched their advantage to 40-21 in the second frame after Draper connected on a layup with 8:19 to play in the half. NDSU led at the intermission, 56-43.
The Fighting Hawks (9-18, 5-9 Summit) attempted to rally in the third quarter trimming the deficit down to 10, 70-60, following a pair of free throws from Kiera Pemberton at the 2:51 mark. The Bison responded closing the quarter on an 8-2 run capped off by jumper from Hamling to make the score 83-63. NDSU went on close out the final 10 minutes to secure the regular season series over North Dakota, 107-80.
NDSU will be back in action hosting South Dakota on Thursday. Tip-off is set for 7:00 p.m., at Scheels Center.
