Box Score SIOUX FALLS, S.D. – The University of North Dakota fell to Oral Roberts 61-54 in the quarterfinal round of the Summit League tournament on Sunday, Mar. 6.

North Dakota shot 30.9 percent from the field, 15.8 percent from the three-point line, and 81.8 percent from the free-throw line. Comparatively, Oral Roberts shot 32.2 percent from the field, 31.3 percent from the three, and 78.3 percent from the line.

The Fighting Hawks led the Golden Eagles in points in the paint (32-26), second chance points (13-10), fast break points (12-0), and bench points (13-8). The Golden Eagles led in points off turnovers (8-4).

Senior Melissa Leet and junior Kacie Borowicz led the Fighting Hawks with 13 points each. Leet narrowly missed a double-double with eight rebounds while securing three blocks, two steals, and an assist. Borowicz ended the afternoon with nine rebounds, four assists and two steals.

Joli Daninger netted 11 points off the bench for North Dakota. She had seven rebounds and two steals.

Olivia Lane ended the afternoon with eight points and 12 rebounds.

Claire Orth also ended the afternoon with seven rebounds and had four points in the contest.

Rounding out the starting five was Maggie Manson with three rebounds, three points, a block and an assist.

Oral Roberts took the lead early with a quick jump shot, but Lane responded with a bucket for the Fighting Hawks to keep it tied. The teams continued to trade baskets as the first quarter progressed, but the Fighting Hawks continued to trail 9-6 as the first media timeout was called with 4:42 left in the quarter. Exiting the timeout, Oral Roberts extended the lead and extend their run to 6-0 until Lane responded in the paint for the Hawks. DJ Davis netted a bucket as the quarter wound down to cut the deficit to three headed into the second quarter (10-13).

Entering the second quarter, Daninger helped the Fighting Hawks tie it at 13 with a three-point play. Oral Roberts responded to retake the lead, but Daninger hit a three to give the Hawks the lead again. The teams started a back-and-forth battle for the lead, but the Golden Eagles went on a 5-0 run before the media timeout (3:46) to give them the 22-18 lead. Exiting the timeout, North Dakota tied it at 22 with buckets from Orth and Leet. The Golden Eagles then went on a 4-0 run to head into halftime with the 26-22 lead.

Coming out of the locker room, the Golden Eagles added to their lead with a jump shot. The Fighting Hawks continued to battle as the quarter continued and took a 33-32 lead headed into the media timeout (2:56). Oral Roberts then stepped out of the timeout and retook the lead, but Leet stepped up and hit a second-chance opportunity to once again place UND in the lead. The teams battled for the lead as the quarter wound down, but neither team would secure it as they ended it tied at 37.

In the final quarter, the Fighting Hawks attacked early and earned the lead with a layup from Lane. Oral Roberts then tied it again to start another battle for the lead as it continued to change from team to team with ORU leading by one (44-43) with 6:29 left to play. UND took the lead once more as Borowicz hit a shot, but the Golden Eagles went on an 8-0 run to take seven-point lead (52-45). North Dakota continued to fight, but the Golden Eagles held onto the lead and won 61-54.

Keni Joe Lippie led the Golden Eagles with 22 points, six rebounds, and three steals. She was followed by Katie Scott with 11 points and two rebounds.

The loss at the quarterfinals has ended the Fighting Hawks season with a record of 15-15 and a conference record of 9-9.