Box Score MILWAUKEE, Wis. - Capitalizing at the free-throw line in the final minutes of play, and recording nine assists on its last 10 field goals, the University of North Dakota improved to 9-3 ahead of Christmas with a road win at Milwaukee, 66-58.

UND finished with nine treys and shot 5-of-9 in the second half, led by Alaina Jarnot's 15 points and four assists. Kacie Borowicz finished the game with nine points and scored seven points in the final minute of play to push the game out of Milwaukee's reach thrice times.

"This game was about the team playing their style of basketball," said Head Coach Travis Brewster. "You have to make your own breaks. You can't rely on good bounces; you can't rely on anything. You have to make your own breaks by hustling and working. This game was a culmination of all the work this team did in June. Everyone did a good job of contributing and stepping up when we found ourselves in trouble."

The Panthers couldn't account for Melissa Leet in the opening quarter as the junior scored eight of her 10 points in the quarter, hitting a pair of three-pointers at the top of the arc. However, the UND defense quickly sent Milwaukee into the bonus as the Panthers closed the period on a 7-0 run with a 6-of-8 clip at the free-throw line to lead by three points after one.

Claire Orth quickly tied it up for North Dakota with an old fashioned three-point play as she sank a free throw after she was fouled converting a layup. The Hawks and Panthers traded six leads in the quarter, but an Alaina Jarnot three-pointer with 2:11 remaining put UND ahead at halftime, 33-29

The Fighting Hawks ended the first half on an 8-0 run, capped by a pair of free throws by Borowicz after Julia Fleecs drew a flagrant foul by Brandi Bisping with 28.6 seconds left. Leet led all scorers with eight points on 3-of-4 shooting and added three blocks.

North Dakota continued sharpshooting in the third quarter as it was 6-of-14 from the field and 3-of-7 behind the arc. Alaina Jarnot hit a pair behind the three-point line to become the first Hawk to reach double figures while Lilly Keplin also hit a trey to help UND to a three-point lead entering the final period, 48-45.

With four fouls each, Olivia Lane and Fleecs were on the bench early in the fourth quarter, forcing the Hawks to play a smaller lineup. However, UND persevered and separated itself after the Panthers tied it up, 50-50, with a 7-0 run with baskets by Mikayla Reinke and Leet, and a trey by Jaclyn Jarnot.

While Milwaukee continued to pressure North Dakota, Borowicz showed the ice in her veins as she hit a three-pointer with 57 seconds left in regulation to put UND on top by six. She also hit four free throws in the final 30 seconds to give UND a three-possession lead, its largest of the game.

The Fighting Hawks will return to action on Saturday, Dec. 28 at the University of New Orleans.