VERMILLION, S.D. – For the first time in program history, the North Dakota State women's basketball team clinched at least a share of the Summit League regular season title after topping South Dakota, 81-68, on Saturday afternoon at the Sanford Coyote Sports Center in front of 2,304 fans.

With the win, the Bison (25-2, 14-0 Summit) earned at least a share of the Summit League regular season title for the first time in program history and extended their win streak to 23 games. It's the second-longest active win streak in the country and is the longest in Summit League history. The Bison also secured the No. 1 seed in the Summit League Tournament for the first time in program history.

Avery Koenen led the way tying a career-best 30 points on 10-of-14 shooting from the field and 10-of-15 from the free throw line. She hauled in a game-high 14 rebounds with a game-best five assists for her 18th double-double of the season. The Montevideo, Minn., native also increased her rebounds total this season to 300, which is the most in the NDSU Division I era and ranks seventh on the NDSU all-time single-season list.

Molly Lenz added 11 points on 3-of-6 shooting from three and Jocelyn Schiller netted 11 points on 4-of-6 shooting from the field. Karrington Asp rounded out the top performers providing 10 points and four rebounds off the bench.

As a team, the Bison shot 60.8 percent (31-51) from the field and 41.2 percent (7-17) from three. NDSU scored 46 points in the paint and 10 points off of turnovers.

After trailing at half, 30-28, the Bison put together a 9-2 run to open up a 48-40 lead after Abby Graham drained a triple at the 4:23 mark. NDSU then pushed its lead into double digits following back-to-back layups from Abby Krzewinski and Asp to make the score 54-42 with 1:54 to play in the third. The Bison carried the momentum into the fourth quarter to grow their largest lead of the game, 78-58, after Schiller connected on a layup with 3:31 remaining. The Bison held off the Coyotes the rest of the way to secure the 81-68 victory.

NDSU will be back in action hosting South Dakota State on Wednesday. Tip-off is set for 7:00 p.m., inside the Scheels Center at the Sanford Health Athletic Complex.