MACOMB, ILL. – The University of North Dakota beat Western Illinois in a 76-65 decision on Thursday evening at Western Hall. The Fighting Hawks came out with momentum in the second quarter to give them the lead after being down by five at the end of the first.
The Fighting Hawks shot 40.9 percent from inside the arch, 42.9 percent from beyond the arch, and 80.0 percent from the line. While the Leathernecks shot 40.4 percent from the field, 29.6 percent from beyond the arch, and 64.7 percent from the line.
Kacie Borowicz led the Fighting Hawks with 33 points, which matched her single game high that she had earned against Montana State. She secured five rebounds, had four assists, and had two steals.
Melissa Leet followed closely behind Borowicz with 13 points. She had eight rebounds and two steals.
Maggie Manson ended the evening with ten points and two assists.
Claire Orth netted nine points, secured four rebounds, and three assists.
Joli Daninger scored seven points, eight rebounds, and had five steals.
Olivia Lane rounded out the scoring with four points, nine rebounds, and two steals.
The Fighting Hawks took the initial lead going up 4-0 before the Leathernecks went on a 9-0 run to put them up 9-4 with 5:47 left to play in the first quarter. Leet hit a hook shot to put North Dakota back on the board. The Hawks and Leathernecks traded baskets as the first came to an end, but it was Western Illinois who led 15-10 headed into the second quarter.
North Dakota came out prepared with a jumper from Orth and a jumper from Manson to bring them within one in the first minute and a half. The battle continued as Western Illinois hit a three to keep them in the lead. The teams continued the back-and-forth battle, but a layup from Daninger at 5:58 tied the game at 20. Borowicz hit a two to give UND the lead, but Evan Zars scored a layup to tie it once again. Seconds later, Leet put the Fighting Hawks in the lead but another tie would come seconds later. A three from the Leathernecks gave them the lead, but Daninger responded with a three to tie it yet again. Leet hit a jumper to give them the lead, and Borowicz extended it with a basket and pair of free throws to give the Hawks the 33-27 lead.
In the third quarter, the Leathernecks came out and hit a three, but Manson hit a three in the next possession to keep them up by three. The fight continued as the teams traded twos and threes. Western Illinois brought it within one with 6:56 left in the third, but Manson hit another three to extend the UND lead. With 6:09 left in the quarter, the Leathernecks tied it. Borowicz hit a bucket and Lane added a layup to help the Hawks pull away. As the quarter wound down, the Fighting Hawks extended the lead 59-48.
In the final quarter of the game, the Leathernecks scored first, but the Fighting Hawks responded to keep them up by 11. The Leathernecks continued to fight, but the Fighting Hawks defense and offense kept them in the lead. The Fighting Hawks won 76-65.
Zars led the Leathernecks on offense with 17 points and eight rebounds. Jade Thorpe followed with 12 points, three rebounds and three steals.
North Dakota heads to the Twin Cities to face the St. Thomas Tommies on Saturday, Jan. 15. at 1 p.m.
