FARGO, N.D. – The University of North Dakota held rival North Dakota State to one field goal in the final 10 minutes of play, nearly completing a 13-point comeback at the SCHEELS Center; but in the battle of attrition at the free-throw line, the Fighting Hawks (12-7, 3-3 Summit) were outscored 33-29 as the Bison (4-13, 1-4 Summit) claimed the 92-82 victory. It was only NDSU's second win in the series since 2004.

Julia Fleecs led UND scorers with 18 points, scoring 14 of those from the free-throw line as she tied the program record free-throw percentage in a game as she hit all 14 of her shots. Lilly Keplin led the North Dakota bench with 13 points while Olivia Lane added 12. Maggie Manson and Jaclyn Jarnot also contributed 10 points for UND.

The Bison ran off with the early lead, including an eight-point advantage shortly before halftime. However, the Fighting Hawks rallied back in the final minute with a 6-0 run by Manson and Claire Orth to make it a 23-19 NDSU lead. While the Bison tried to pull away, UND continued to fight as it forced its way to the foul line 17 times in the half, but trailed NDSU at the half, 49-41.

"I wasn't upset with giving up 49 points in the first half, I'd just had rather us score 55 on our end," said Head Coach Travis Brewster. "Down the stretch, we did a good job defensively limiting them from the field, but we have to do a better job of putting ourselves in a better position to limit fouls."

"I think getting to the free-throw line is a really good thing for us," said Keplin. "Obviously, we don't want too foul as much on the other end, so (NDSU goes) to the free-throw line. But it's a small thing that gains momentum for us. If we're driving the lane and getting to the foul line on those and-one chances, that brings a lot of energy for the team."

The Fighting Hawks continued that approach in the second half as it was a perfect 10-of-10 from the charity stripe in the third quarter alone, setting the table for a UND comeback effort.

The Hawks turned up its intensity defensively in the fourth quarter, holding the Bison scoreless for three minutes to spark a 9-0 run to make it a one-point game with 7:16 left.

UND hung within two possessions over the next seven minutes, including another one-point NDSU lead with 4:58 left after a Keplin trey, but a scoring drought by both sides over the next two and half minutes stifled the Hawks momentum as NDSU pulled away in the final minute at the free-throw line. The Bison closed the afternoon 32-for-38 at the free-throw line and went 15-for-18 in the fourth quarter alone to maintain their lead.

North Dakota will return to action  Friday, Jan. 24, when it hosts Denver at the Betty Engelstad Sioux Center. The contest will tipoff at 7 p.m. Central on MidcoSN.