NDSU Women’s Basketball Tops South Dakota, 63-54

Thursday, February 29

Fargo, N.D.

7 p.m.

North Dakota State Athletics

19-9,13-2Summit League

South Dakota

19-11,8-7Summit League

Team	1	2	3	4	F
South Dakota	7	17	13	17	54
North Dakota St.	14	14	17	18	63

Photo by: Zachary Lucy

NDSU Women’s Basketball Tops South Dakota, 63-54

2/29/2024 10:41:00 PM | Women's Basketball

Box Score Postgame Press Conference

FARGO, N.D. – The North Dakota State women's basketball team grinded out a 63-54 win over South Dakota at Scheels Center on Thursday night.

With the win, the Bison improved to 19-9 (13-2 Summit) and pushed their win streak to eight games. The Bison moved to 13-2 in Summit League play this season, which is the most wins since joining the league in 2007-08. Additionally, NDSU finished its home schedule with a 12-1 mark and won its most games since 2004-05. The Bison are a combined 23-2 at Scheels Center over the last two seasons.

Abbie Draper led the way for NDSU narrowly missing a double-double with a team-best 15 points to go along with seven rebounds. Heaven Hamling, who was playing her final game in Scheels Center on senior night, netted 11 points and Abby Schulte added in 11 points of her own. Avery Koenen closed out the top performers hauling in a game-best 10 rebounds with eight points.

As a team, the Bison shot 40.4 percent (21-52) from the field and 71.4 percent (20-28) from the free throw line. NDSU netted 32 points in the paint and 13 off of turnovers. The Bison also hauled in 43 rebounds in comparison to the Coyotes' (19-11, 8-7 Summit) 22.

The Bison put together a 12-0 run in the opening quarter to build up a 14-4 advantage after Hamling drained a jumper at the 1:41 mark. South Dakota fought back trimming the deficit down to one, 14-13, after Carley Duffney connected on a triple with 8:47 to play in the half. NDSU led at the break, 28-24.

The Bison stretched their edge back into double digits in the third following seven straight points capped off by a layup from Elle Evans to make the score 41-29 at the 3:45 mark. South Dakota slowly chipped the edge back down to seven in the final quarter, 58-51, with a layup from Tori Deperry with 2:28 to play. However, NDSU went on to hold off South Dakota the rest of the way to secure the 63-54 victory.

NDSU will wrap up regular season play at South Dakota State on Saturday. Tip-off is set for 2:00 p.m.