GRAND FORKS, N.D.-- Fantasia Hilliard's running layup through traffic in the closing seconds proved to be the winning bucket in visiting Sacramento State's 64-62 win over host North Dakota Saturday afternoon at the Betty Engelstad Sioux Center. UND had nearly climbed out from a 19-point second-half deficit until Hilliard's basket helped the Hornet remain in fron t of UND (17-10, 9-6 Big Sky) in the standings and gave North Dakota its first home loss in league play.

North Dakota held the NCAA's leading three-point shooting team (by attempts) to just 25 looks and only six makes for the game. But, Sacramento State (12-14, 10-5) was able to pile up a lead in the first half by taking the home team out of its comfort zone. That equated to a 15-point cushion at the break, 42-27.

The Hornets would stretch their lead to 19 after the first two possessions of the second half and UND had its work cut out. North Dakota chipped it down to 11 at 51-40 on a Kelsey Knox layup. Later, the deficit would be trimmed to seven after four straight Mia Loyd free throws as the crowd of 1,767 attempted to get energized to make a run.

A tough running layup down the lane by Adella Randle-El made it 57-46 with just under nine minutes to play. But, it would be the last field goal for the Hornets for a more than seven-minute stretch as North Dakota rallied. With the score 58-48, UND would score nine straight points. The final four in that run came on back-to-back buckets by Makailah Dyer to get it within with and under three minuutes to play.

Maranne Johnson finally broke the Hornet dryspell with a triple from the left wing and Grethcen Harrigan followed with a split from the charity stripe to make it a five-point game in the final minute. Senior Siri Burck hit a huge three-- UND's only hit from downtown-- with 40 seconds remaining, slicing it back to two.

On the ensuing possession, Hilliard melted down most of the shot clock before driving to the rim and finishing with 11 seconds to go for a two possession lead. Dyer hit a layup with 3.3 seconds left but Sac State held on to earn its fifth road win in the Big Sky Conference this season.   

Loyd recorded her 15th double-double of the season with a game-high 23 points and 10 rebounds for UND. Dyer added 16 points in the loss.

Sacramento State had three players in double figures led by 12 from Andrea Chenier.

North Dakota takes to the road for the final time in the regular season, heading to Northern Arizona Thursday. Tip time is slated for 7:30 p.m. Central.