FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. -- North Dakota hit big buckets in both regulation and in the first overtime but eventually fell, 72-68, in double overtime at Northern Arizona University Thursday evening in Big Sky Conference play. Makailah Dyer had a three to tie it in regulation and had a running layup in the closing seconds of the extra frame to help get it to the double overtime, but the Lumberjacks survived.

"It was a hard fought game," UND head coach Travis Brewster said. "We have to do a better job on the road showing poise when we play in tight situations as we did in both overtimes. We had a good defensive effort but on the road  you have to give yourself every opportunity to have success."

UND was forced to work back from a sluggish start that saw the visitors score just 18 points in the first frame. The defense was good, though, as NAU scored just 22 on just 22.1 percent shooting before halftime to keep UND in it.

Offensive fouls helped UND's turnover total reach 30 for the game, 15 of those miscues coming in the first 20 minutes. The NAU lead quickly reached a dozen in the second half as a 7-0 Lumberjack spurt had the score at 44-32 with 12:11 left. NAU would hold that lead as late as eight minutes remaining until North Dakota began its comeback.

A tough lay-in by Mia Loyd followed by a pair of Kelsey Knox free throws and two more from Leah Szabla sliced the deficit down to just a half-dozen with just over six minutes to go. Brittani Lusain hit back-to-back jumpers to put the lead back at 10, but again UND had a 6-0 run. Same formula as Loyd had a bucket, two free throws from Knox and a running layup by Szabla made it a four-point game with 4:27 to go.

With the score at 56-50 NAU and 2:17 on the clock, UND went to its perimeter players to force the extra frames. After going 0-of-5 from downtown in the game to that point, North Dakota got a huge three from Siri Burck and a possession later Makailah Dyer tripled to tie the score with 42 seconds remaining. After a missed shot on the other end, UND had a chance to potentially win it in the closing seconds of regulation, but Burck's three and putback attempt were both off the mark to send the game to overtime.

In the extra period, North Dakota never led but answered every NAU bucket with baskets each time, none bigger than Dyer's drive to the rim as the clock wound down and her team down by two. Dyer took the ball from the left wing and ripped through the lane, finishing on the right side for a 62-all score.

North Dakota finally took its first lead since the first half on a Knox free throw to start the second overtime. Lusain, who led all scorers with 21, answered with a fadeaway three to put NAU back in front. Szabla hit two more free throws and Loyd powered in a putback, part of her 12 points and 14 rebounds, as UND regained a two-point edge midway through the period.

Mariah Willadsen hit a perimeter jumper and Erikka Banks followed with a layup to reclaim the advantage for the 'Jacks. They would keep the lead this time, hitting four of their final five free throws to seal the 72-68 win.

Szabla led a group of four North Dakota (17-11, 9-7) players in double figures with 18. Loyd etched her 16th double-double of the season with 12 points and 14 rebounds while Emily Evers chipped in a dozen points and Dyer finished with 10.

NAU (12-14, 8-7) was led by double-doubles from Brittani Lusain (21 points, 10 rebounds) and Erikka Banks (18-10).

UND heads to Southern Utah Saturday for an 8:00 p.m. tip.

Notes: It was just the fifth game in UND's history to go at least two overtimes ... UND is 3-2 in those games, 0-2 in the Big Sky Conference ... The last double-OT game was Mar. 9, 2013, the regular season final at Southern Utah (95-94 SUU) ... The teams combined for 44 personal fouls in the game with Evers and Szabla both fouling out ... Evers is now just 13 points shy of 1,000 for her career ... Loyd needs 18 and Megan Lauck 32 to reach that plateau ... Sophomore Samantha Roscoe made her first career start.