GRAND FORKS, N.D.-- Host North Dakota shrugged off a pesky, upset-minded Southern Utah team with a solid fourth quarter for its third straight win Saturday afternoon at the Betty Engelstad Sioux Center in Big Sky Conference play.

UND (8-11, 4-4 Big Sky) was once again led by Mia Loyd, who posted her sixth double-double of the season-- first in a month-- with 15 points and 10 rebounds. Makailah Dyer poured in a team-high 16 points while Stephanie Smith added 12 points, four blocks and three rebounds.

Southern Utah (2-15, 0-7) got 12 from Breanu Reid and 11 from Tiarra McDonald in the loss.

The Thunderbirds actually led before the tipoff on a rare administrative technical foul. One of the hoops had to be replaced pregame but the backup did not have the required LED lights that surround the perimeter of the backboard, triggering the technical. SUU took advantage by building a quick 8-2 edge, leading throughout the first quarter.

UND fought to get it back to a one-point game heading into the second quarter where the teams traded leads six times in a see-saw affair that neither team could seize control. The Thunderbirds were two-point leaders at the break, 36-34.

Leah Szabla took the final possession of the third quarter as a building block for some momentum. She took the sideline in-bounds with 3.3 seconds left and worked in a nifty reverse layup as time expired for a 47-44 lead and plenty of momentum.

The home team quickly saw its lead balloon to nine with six minutes left. A jumper in the lane by Stephanie Smith made it a double-digit lead but was quickly answered by Tiarra McDonald's three.

Kelsey Knox had the play of the game, sliding on her knees in the backcourt to pick off a in-bounds pass, then converting a pair of free throws with 1:16 remaining to all but seal the deal for UND's fourth win in its last five contests.

North Dakota finishes its homestand with a Saturday evening game against travel partner Northern Colorado. Time tip is slated for 7:00 p.m. from the Betty.

Notes: North Dakota did not turn the ball over in the first quarter and had just four at halftime ... UND is 2-0 when turning the ball over fewer times than its opponent ... Its 10 turnovers tied for a season low ... Third time UND has had a positive assist-to-turnover ratio this season (3-0 in those games) ... Loyd moved past former teammate Madi Buck and into 18th place all-time in scoring at UND (1,233).