(UND Athletics/Kerry Ring)
GRAND FORKS, ND (UND Athletics)– The University of North Dakota women’s basketball team came out hot and never looked back to secure a 73-69 victory over Weber State on Wednesday night at the Betty Engelstad Sioux Center. With the win, the Fighting Hawks improved to 3-5 on the season, while Weber State fell to 2-5.
North Dakota set the tone early with a sharp shooting from beyond the arc. Mikayla Aumer connected 3-of-3 triples and went 2-of-2 from the charity stripe to lead the frame with 11 points. After an offensive drought to start the season, Kiyah Hurst also went a perfect 2-of-2 in the first quarter. The Hawks shot 64.3% (9-of-14) from the field and 77.8% (7-of-9) from the perimeter, building a 28-17 lead.
In the second quarter, UND extended their lead to 16 points. Hurst contributed two more threes to lead the Hawks with six of the 18 points. UND capitalized eight points off the seven Wildcats’ turnovers. Despite Weber State’s improved defensive effort, UND held a 46-31 edge at halftime.
Weber State stormed back in the third quarter behind a dominant performance, shooting 53.5% (8-of-15). Wildcats outscored UND 21-14 in the period, cutting the deficit to single digits. Kiera Pemberton went 3-of-3 on the field in the third.
The final quarter featured a rally from Weber State, who narrowed the lead to three points with under two minutes to play. However, the Fighting Hawks responded with timely baskets from Kiera Pemberton and a critical three-pointer by Rakiyah Beal to hold off the Wildcats.
North Dakota will continue the Big Sky-Summit Challenge at Northern Colorado on Saturday, December 7 at 3 p.m.
Postgame Notes:
- Mikayla Aumer led UND with 16 points, including four three-pointers, a perfect 4-of-4 free throws, and added six rebounds. The four threes and six rebounds were a career-high for the junior.
- The other Hawks to hit double-digits include Kiera Pemberton (13), Rakiyah Beal (10), and Kiyah Hurst (12).
- Kiyah Hurst tied her career-high four three pointers.
- Nevaeh Ferrara Horne led the team with her career-high two blocks.
- Fatima Ibrahim tied her career-high in assists (1) and rebounds (9).
- Rakiyah Beal recorded a career-high four steals.
- Walker Demers notched a career-high four assists.
- Jayla Owen tied her career-high two steals.
- UND shot 50% (14-of-28) from three-point range and held Weber State to 30% (6-of-20).
- The Hawks outshot from the field 43.9% (25-of-57) to the Wildcats’ 41% (25-of-61).
- Bench points were a key factor, with UND outscoring Weber State 37-18.
- This was the first game of the season the Hawks had sole possession of the lead for the entire 40 minutes.
How It Happened:
- Q1: UND 28, WSU 17
- Q2: UND 18, WSU 14
- Q3: WSU 21, UND 14
- Q4: WSU 17, UND 13
Game Recap: Women’s Basketball | | Anna Watson, FightingHawks.com
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