GRAND FORKS, N.D. – Despite blizzard conditions across the Eastern half of the state, ball possession, hot shooting and smothering defense vaulted the University of North Dakota (10-14, 5-6 Summit) over rival North Dakota State (6-16, 3-7 Summit) at the Betty Engalstad Sioux Center, 70-56.

With 26 points and 12 rebounds for her seventh double-double of the season, Lexi Klabo led all scorers and rebounders in 34 minutes of play. The senior finished with nine points and six rebounds in the fourth.

Head Coach Travis Brewster was pleased with Klabo's play in the contest and saw the performance as an opportunity for the team to move forward.

"Lexi did a good job when we were trying to get her into certain spots and give her certain touches on the floor," Brewster said, "the team did a good job of finding her and got it to her at the right time. We have to build off this and get a little a bit better by Saturday. That's the biggest key."

Turnovers proved important in the 2019 series as the Fighting Hawks surrendered 19 points off of turnovers in the first meeting and only allowed six turnovers and four points from giveaways in the rematch tonight.

With North Dakota State in control in the first period, the UND defense took control in the second period, holding the Bison without a field goal in the final 5:34 in the first half, UND's 7-1 run brought the Fighting Hawks to within one point at halftime, 31-30.

In the final minute of the half, Klabo went 1-for-2 at the free throw line. The NCAA's leader in made free throws showed her value to the UND program after missing her second shot as she shifted the tide for the team by gathering the rebound and putting it up for a basket to finish with 10 points in the half. But Klabo's play kept UND's energy flowing at the start of the third period as the Hawks held NDSU to two field goals in a span of 11:56.

However, a late surge by the Bison in the final 3:37 of the third quarter – an 8-1 run – tied the game entering the final period, 43-43. The UND defense rallied back in the final quarter, holding NDSU to 4-of-11 shooting and only 15 points while the offense dumped in 27.

Jill Morton, who closed the night 6-of-7 from the field and 14 points, hit all three of her shots from the field – all of which occurred in the final four minutes to increase the UND lead from 54-53 to a 61-54 advantage. Melissa Dailey also hit three shots in the final period to close the night with 15 points.

"Jill hit that big three and she has that ability to rise up and knock down some shots and that was really good," added Brewster.

The Fighting Hawks will return to the floor Saturday afternoon, heading to Brookings, S.D. to take on South Dakota State. Tipoff is slated for 2 p.m.