Box Score GRAND FORKS, N.D. – The University of North Dakota fell to Western Illinois in an 85-73 decision on Saturday afternoon at the Betty Engelstad Sioux Center. The Fighting Hawks battled and took the lead in the third quarter but were unable to overcome 15 three-pointers made by the Leathernecks.
The Fighting Hawks shot 36.5 percent from inside the arch, 25.0 percent from beyond the arch, and 88.9 percent from the line. While the Leathernecks shot 37.7 percent from the field, 48.4 percent from beyond the arch, and 66.7 percent from the line.
Kacie Borowicz led the Fighting Hawks with 28 points, secured five rebounds, had two assists, and had one steal.
Olivia Lane followed closely behind Borowicz with a double-double. She netted 24 points, which is one shy of her single-game career high, and secured 17 rebounds, which matches her single-game high that she secured earlier this season against Denver.
Maggie Manson ended the afternoon against the Leathernecks with seven points, two rebounds, and an assist.
Melissa Leet finished the game with six points, ten rebounds, and four blocks.
Rounding out the starting five was
Claire Orth who has two points, one rebound, and one assist.
Joli Daninger stepped in off the bench to end the afternoon with four points, nine rebounds, four assists, and a steal.
DJ Davis also netted two points off the bench, secured two rebounds, and had one assist.
The Fighting Hawks took the initial lead going up 3-0 before the Leathernecks went on a 16-0 run to put them up 16-3 with 4:44 left to play in the first quarter. Borowicz netted a basket to stop the continuous run, but the Leathernecks hit another three to continue to add to the lead. The Fighting Hawks battled with the Leathernecks, but Western Illinois went on a late 8-0 run to give them the 27-7 lead at the end of the first.
North Dakota came out firing with two consecutive baskets, but Western Illinois hit a three to stop the Hawks from going on a long run. The teams then traded baskets, but Leet started the Hawks on a 6-0 run to bring the game within 12 (15-31) before the media timeout. After the media timeout, the teams had back-and-forth offensive plays to keep the Leathernecks in the lead. Western Illinois headed to the intermission with a 44-31 lead.
In the third quarter, the Fighting Hawks came out prepared as they traded points with the Leathernecks until Borowicz hit a three to cut the deficit to single figures and start the Fighting Hawks on a 13-0 run. The run gave the Fighting Hawks their second lead of the game 48-47 as the Leathernecks took a timeout. After the timeout, the Leathernecks retook the lead, but Lane knocked in two free-throws to tie it at 50 each with 3:38 left in the third. Western Illinois scored on consecutive plays to give them a four-point lead, but North Dakota continued to keep it close as they netted baskets of their own. As the quarter wound down, the Fighting Hawks were not able to overcome the Leatherneck offense. Western Illinois led 58-54 headed into the final quarter.
Both teams struggled to score for the first minute and a half of the fourth quarter, but Lane ended the drought with a layup to bring the Hawks within two. The Leathernecks hit another three to extend their lead to five and put them on an 8-0 run. Lane stopped the WIU run to turn it into a back-and-forth game. North Dakota continued to fight, but they were unable to overcome the Leathernecks as they fell. 85-73.
Jade Thorpe led the Leathernecks on offense with 19 points, three steals, and two rebounds. Evan Zars and Elizabeth Lutz followed with 13 points each. Zars ended the afternoon with a double-double securing 18 rebounds. Lutz narrowly missed the double-double with nine rebounds.
North Dakota heads to Kansas City to face the Roos on Thursday, Feb. 17 at 6 p.m.
