FARGO, N.D. – The University of North Dakota women’s basketball team fell short 70-66 to the North Dakota State Bison on Saturday afternoon at the Scheels Center. The Fighting Hawks fall to an 8-12 record on the season and 3-4 in conference play.

The Hawks had a slow start falling behind by seven in the first three minutes. Despite shooting 57.1% (8-of-14), six turnovers and three fouls in the first quarter held UND to just 13 points. Mikayla Aumer went a perfect 3-of-3 from the field and 1-of-1 from the perimeter for a quarter high seven points. The Bison paced the first quarter 21-13 after shooting a 62.5% (5-of-8) from the field.

The second quarter was UND’s best defensive quarter holding NDSU to just nine points. The Hawks has the Bison shooting 14.3% (2-of-14) from the field and 0-of-2 from three-point range. Fatima Ibrahim added to the defensive success after posting four blocks in the second. The Hawks chipped away at the deficit throughout the second, holding the Bison without a basket for the last 5:27 of the second, pulling ahead with two minutes left for a three-point lead at the half. Kiera Pemberton and Jocelyn Schiller contributed a combined 13 points to the Hawks 20-point quarter.

UND and NDSU went neck-and-neck in the third. The Hawks shot 46.2% (6-of-13) from the field compared to the Bison’s 50% (8-of-16). Ibrahim switched gears to offense, going a perfect 4-of-4 from the field and 1-of-2 from the free throw line, she added a quarter high nine points. NDSU led scoring 22-17 and took a two-point lead entering the final frame.

 The fourth quarter was another closely contested frame. UND added 16 points, going 50% (6-of-12) from the field where NDSU notched 18 points, going 46.7% (7-of-15) from the field. The Hawks ran into foul trouble, collecting five of their seven in the first six minutes, putting the Bison into the bonus early. The Hawks were within two with five seconds left, put a turnover on the inbound ultimately sealed the NDSU victory.

The Fighting Hawks will continue Summit League play at the Betty as they host St. Thomas on Thursday, Jan. 30 at 7 p.m.

Postgame Notes:

  • Jocelyn Schiller led the Hawks with 20 points, after going 7-of-14 from the field and 6-of-6 from the free throw line. This marked her third game as the scoring leader and third game with 20+ points.
  • Fatima Ibrahim recorded a career-high nine blocks in addition to her 10 points and team-high seven rebounds.
  • Kiera Pemberton recorded 17 points, going 6-of-13 from the field and 5-of-7 from the free throw line. This marked her 18th game hitting double-digits.
  • UND led shooting from the field 54.3% (25-of-46) to NDSU’s 42.4% (25-of-59).
  • The Hawks outshot from the perimeter 33.3% (3-of-9) to the Bison’s 14.3% (1-of-7).
  • Fouls gave NDSU the upper hand on free throws as they went 82.6% (19-of-23) to the Hawks’ 76.5% (13-of-17).
  • The Bison had the edge with fouls, 21-23, for a combined 44.
  • NDSU held a slight edge over UND on rebounds, 29-26.

How it Happened:
               Q1: UND 13, NDSU 21
               Q2: UND 20, NDSU 9
               Q3: UND 17, NDSU 22
               Q4: UND 16, NDSU 16