GRAND FORKS, N.D. - In a tale of two halves, the University of North Dakota's (12-8, 3-4 Summit) team-first play could not overcome Denver's (9-11, 3-4 Summit) individual surges as four Pioneers scored in double figures and combined for a 22-of-27 free-throw clip to lead DU past UND, 91-81.

The Fighting Hawks only went to the charity stripe nine times on the night but drilled a season-high 13 three-pointers in the contest. Julia Fleecs knocked down three of those treys to lead UND with 21 points while Jaclyn Jarnot aided with 18 points and six boards. As a unit, the Hawks dished 26 assists on its 31 baskets.

The Fighting Hawks led for a total of 16 minutes, trading five ties and taking a seven-point lead halfway through the second after a Megan Zander triple after the media break. While North Dakota continued to hit shots, it was unable to keep the Pioneers off the free-throw line, which allowed Denver to reclaim the lead with 3:03 left in the third.

"Our defense let down, and we didn't box out the shooters," said Head Coach Travis Brewster. "They did a good job of crashing the boards, and that's a correctable error. We did a good job of moving the basketball in the first and second quarter, and we had some good looks after that. But, you can't allow shooters to the free-throw line because it's hard to guard them there. We have to be smarter and move our feet a little bit better."

With both teams flying up and down the court at the opening tip, the tempo put the North Dakota offense back rhythm as it moved the ball around the basket and knocked down its open shots. The Fighting Hawks closed the first half with 15 assists after combining for 15 helpers in its last two games.

As a result, UND shot 43.6-percent from the field in the first half, including a brutish 8-of-19 clip (.421) behind the three-point line in the opening 20 minutes. Julia Fleecs and Maggie Manson, who made her first career start, knocked down two treys apiece.

After Denver took its lead, it went on to lead by 10 with 2:33 remaining in regulation. However, the Jarnot sisters knocked down a pair of shots to force a DU timeout with 1:51 remaining to make it a five-point game, 80-75.

The Hawk defense could not overcome the relentless attack by Madison Nelson to the basket, as the senior drew 10 fouls, finishing the night with a game-high 25 points with a 9-for-11 record at free throw line.

Claire Orth closed the night with eight points, including two three-pointers, and was a thorn in the Pits side defensively as she led the game with there steals. Alaina Jarnot dished eight assists and also scored eight points. Olivia Lane led UND rebounders with eight boards.

The University of North Dakota will close the weekend on Sunday, Jan. 26 when it hosts Western Illinois at The Betty Engelstad Sioux Center at 2 p.m. Central.