GRAND FORKS, N.D. -- The University of North Dakota women's basketball team defeated Northern Iowa, 64-59, on Saturday at the Betty Engelstad Sioux Center.

UND (2-5) improved to 2-0 on its home floor this season on the start of a four-game homestand.

Northern Iowa started the game on a 6-0 run on back-to-back 3-pointers from Amber Sorenson to quickly give the Panthers a 6-0 lead. UND responded in the quarter by outscoring UNI 19-10 in the remainder of the quarter.

With the first quarter ticking down, Jill Morton nailed a shot after just crossing the halfcourt line to send the 2,012 fans into a frenzy and give UND a 19-16 lead at the end of the quarter.

The second quarter continued the back-and-forth affair with both teams trading baskets. UND saw its lead grow to as big as 10 in the second quarter, but a late run by the Panthers saw the Fighting Hawks carry a four-point lead into the halftime break.

The third quarter saw the same style of play as the second, strong defense by both teams. However, UND closed the third on a 4-0 run to regain a four point cushion heading into the final quarter.

In that final quarter, strong defense and clutch free-throw shooting by Dyer and Leah Szabla helped carry UND to a 64-59 win.

Amber Sorenson led all scorers with a career-high 27 points and 6-for-18 from 3-point land.

Dyer led UND with 13 points while Mia Loyd grabbed seven rebounds to lead the Fighting Hawks.

Kelsey Knox also provided strong defensive-play with five steals and added 11 points along with three assists on the offensive side.

UND returns to action on Tuesday when it hosts Western Illinois at 7 p.m.