GRAND FORKS, N.D. – The University of North Dakota women’s basketball team secured a 65-60 victory over North Dakota State on Saturday night at the Betty Engelstad Sioux Center. The Fighting Hawks improved to 9-16 overall and 4-8 in Summit League play.

The first quarter was a back-and-forth battle where the lead was traded three times. Fatima Ibrahim paced the frame with six points and three rebounds. The Hawks shot 40.0% (6-of-15) from the field and forced seven turnovers. The Bison, after shooting 50% (7-of-14), finished the first quarter up 18-15.

The Bison extended their lead in the second, outscoring UND 12-6 to take a 30-21 advantage into halftime. The Hawks struggled offensively in the second, shooting just 15.4%% (2-of-13) from the field and 20.0% (1-of-5) from three-point range, but did keep turnovers to just two in the second.

UND turned the tide in the third quarter with an explosive 27-point effort, shooting 70.0% (7-of-10) from the field and 91.7% (11-of-12) from the free-throw line. Kiera Pemberton led the charge with 12 points in the period, while Nevaeh Ferrara Horne and Jocelyn Schiller combined for 11 points, helping the Hawks erase the deficit and tie the game at 48-48 heading into the fourth.

The Fighting Hawks carried their momentum into the final frame, outscoring NDSU 17-12. Fatima Ibrahim hit two key three-point plays that sparked the offense.  Key free throws down the stretch sealed the victory. UND shot 50.0% (5-of-10) from the field in the fourth quarter and 87.5% (7-of-8) from the free-throw line. The Hawk’s defense kept the Bison 0-5 from the perimeter and forced five turnovers to clinch the win.

North Dakota will look to keep its momentum going in Tulsa as they take on Oral Roberts on Thursday, February 20 at 7 p.m.

Postgame Notes:

  • Kiera Pemberton led UND with 22 points on 8-of-12 shooting, adding eight rebounds and two steals and two blocks.
  • Jocelyn Schiller added 14 points, four rebounds, and two steal.
  • Fatima Ibrahim posted 12 points, five rebounds, and one block.
  • UND shot 41.7% (20-of-48) from the field and 78.6% (22-of-28) from the free-throw line, compared to NDSU’s 41.1% (23-of-56) from the field and 64.3% (9-of-14) from the line.
  • From three-point range, the Bison led 23.8% (5-of-21) to the Hawks’ 20.0% (3-of-15).
  • NDSU outrebounded UND, 36-28.
  • UND had 13 turnovers compared to NDSU’s 18.

How it Happened:
Q1: UND 15, NDSU 18
Q2: UND 6, NDSU 12
Q3: UND 27, NDSU 18
Q4: UND 17, NDSU 12