CHARLESTON, S.C. – Overcoming a turnover laden first quarter, the University of North Dakota improved to 7-2 with its second win in as many days, defeating Charleston Southern (0-5) in Buccaneer Fieldhouse, 73-57.
Julia Fleecs led North Dakota in scoring for the second-straight night, accounting for 20 points with eight rebounds.
The win puts UND one win away from its best start in the Division I era as the 2015-16 team opened the year with an 8-2 record. The triumph was also significant as it was the first for Head Coach
Travis Brewster at his alma mater, Charleston Southern. Brewster was a two-time Defensive MVP with the Buccaneers.
"It's great to get back-to-back wins. There is a nostalgic feeling being back on campus – the same place where I grew as a man, and that was a special feeling to share with our team," said Brewster.
"Today's game tested us in many different ways, and being able to knock down shots helped in those situations. Lilly and Julia were big in that area, and the contributions from Kacie were awesome," Brewster added. "Our team made timely plays today, but now it's time to rest."
The Fighting Hawks accounted for 10 turnovers in the first quarter and found themselves trailing at the end of the period, 17-16. They trailed by as much as six in the frame. North Dakota rallied back at the start of the second with a 13-0 run as it went on to outscore the Buccaneers in the quarter 18-11. As a result, UND led at the half, 34-28.
While North Dakota led by as much as 11 in the second quarter, Charleston Southern tied it up with 6:38 left in the quarter, 38-38, but the Hawks rallied later in the period and in the fourth quarter, finishing 5-for-9 behind the arc in the second half.
The late three-pointers managed to push UND's lead back into double figures with
Lilly Keplin pushing the Hawks into the double-digits for the final time after a pair of free throws. Keplin finished with a career-high 18 points, going 5-for-11 behind the arc while adding eight rebounds.
Melissa Leet finished with nine points with 10 boards.
Claire Orth led the Hawks with six assists as UND dished 21.
Kacie Borowicz added 13 points from the bench with 6-of-11 shooting from the field. On the glass, the Fighting Hawks outrebounded the Buccaneers, 43-29.
North Dakota will return to action Monday, Dec. 9, when it heads to Dallas to take on SMU. Tipoff is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. Central.