Grand Forks, N.D. – The start of the third quarter proved to be decisive as the Fighting Hawks outscored the Minnesota Crookston Golden Eagles 11-4 in the opening four minutes of the second half to take a lead they would never relinquish. 

Olivia Lane led North Dakota with 18 points and eight rebounds.  Lane was efficient from the floor making seven of nine attempts and was four-for-five at the line.

The Fighting Hawks had five in double figures including Joli Daninger with 13, Kacie Borowicz and Claire Orth with 11 each and Melissa Leet with 10. 

After trailing 38-35 at the half, the Hawks put the clamp down in the second half outscoring the Golden Eagles 24-12 in the third quarter while shooting 53-percent in the third stanza.  North Dakota limited Minnesota Crookston to just 20-percent shooting in the second half. 

North Dakota continued to pour it on in the fourth quarter outproducing Minnesota Crookston 22-11 while shooting 41-percent from the field and sinking seven of nine free throws.  The Golden Eagles hit just one triple in the second half compared to six in the first 20 minutes.

As a team, North Dakota shot 43-percent (30-69) while Minnesota Crookston was 35-percent (17-49) from the field. 

The turnover margin was a factor in the game as the Hawks forced 23 miscues by the Golden Eagles while committing just 11 themselves.

The Hawks fell behind 7-0 off the bat then scored 12 consecutive to take a five point lead.  It was short lived as UMC led 23-20 after ten minutes of play behind 60-percent Golden Eagle shooting. 

North Dakota opens the regular season on Tuesday, November 9 at Weber State.  The game will start at 5:30 p.m. central time.