FARGO, N.D. – As the old saying goes, all good things must come to an end.
 
Sunday marked the end of a streak that spanned 15 years, two divisions, and eight games as North Dakota State defeated North Dakota, 69-57, for the first time since February 7, 2004.
 
"Rivalry games are the type of games where it can bring out the competition, and you have to rise to the occasion," said UND head coach Travis Brewster. "We talked about it as a team that it's not an 'X-and-O' thing, it comes down to producing."
 
North Dakota State (6-12, 3-3 Summit League) held North Dakota (8-12, 3-4 Summit League) to just 33.3% from the field in the second half, while shooting at a 41.6% clip to pull away for the victory. Three-point shooting also proved to be a major factor in the contest, as the Bison hit on 7-of-13 (.538) while UND was held to 2-for-9 (.222) from deep. The Fighting Hawks started hot from distance, connecting on their first two tries, but will held without a make over their final seven attempts.
 
Michelle Gaislerova led all scorers with 17 points on 6-of-10 shooting for the Bison while fellow teammate Emily Dietz finished with 16 points and seven boards to pace the hosts.
 
Playing in her final contest in her hometown, Lexi Klabo battled through some physical defense and foul trouble to score 11 points, grab a team-high six rebounds, dish out an assist, and a block in 27 minutes of action. The senior crossed the 10-point plateau for the 19th time in 20 games this season, but finished below her average in conference play.
 
Jill Morton continued her strong play as of late, tallying a team-high 13 points on 5-of-8 from the field. The senior also chipped in five rebounds and a game-high four helpers as she registered her fifth league game with double figures in points this year.
 
UND won the rebounding battle, 29-28, but the 18 turnovers by the Fighting Hawks turned into 30 NDSU points.
 
North Dakota attacked the offensive glass to help spark the offense after a slow start, turning a trio of offensive rebounds into second chance points. Klabo gave the Fighting Hawks their first lead of the game with a jumper from the baseline after the visitors had fallen behind by as many as six in the opening minutes.
 
Following a quick four points by the Bison to regain the lead in the final minute of the first quarter, Mikayla Reinke ended the stanza with a three as the horn sounded to boost the visitors in front, 17-15, after 10 minutes of action.
 
The lead exchanged hands multiple times in the second quarter, but turnovers started to plague UND in the frame. NDSU converted all three of the Hawks' miscues into points to build a 38-29 lead with just under two minutes to play in the half. The Bison extended their lead to double digits, 40-30, but UND finished with the final four points of the quarter to head to the locker room trailing by six, 40-34.
 
UND came out attacking to begin the third quarter, forcing a pair of early turnovers and turning them into a pair of quick baskets. Morton converted a driving layup off a sweet feed from Bailey Strand to force a NDSU timeout just 57 seconds into the stanza. After cutting the lead down just a pair, 40-38, the Hawks were plagued with a 3:33 scoreless drought as the Bison pushed their advantage back up to 47-38.
 
The Hawks looked to be gaining momentum as the quarter wore on, holding the Bison scoreless for just over two minutes as Morton crossed into double figures with a bucket and make at the charity stripe to cut the deficit back to four; however, UND was held without a bucket over the final 3:11 of the frame as NDSU took a 54-43 lead into the final quarter.
 
NDSU was able to keep its distance from UND for the remainder of the way, holding on for the 69-57 victory.
 
North Dakota returns to action on Thursday, hosting former NCC and Great West Conference rival South Dakota at the Betty. The contest, slated for a 7 p.m. tipoff, can be seen on MidcoSN2.
 
NOTES: Claire Orth made her first start in a North Dakota uniform on Sunday … The loss is the first in the series for UND since Feb. 7, 2004, a run of eight straight games … Lexi Klabo registered double figures in scoring for the 19th time in 20 games this season … Jill Morton has scored in double figures in five of seven conference games this year.