GRAND FORKS, ND – The University of North Dakota women's basketball team defeated Dickinson State 77-58 in their matchup at the Bismarck Event Center on Tuesday evening. For just the second time in the Division I era, the Fighting Hawks start their season 2-0.

Walker Demers put the Hawks ahead early with a layup off an assist from Kiera Pemberton just 15 seconds into the game. UND built a solid 7-0 lead before Dickinson State scored their first basket at 5:42. The Hawks maintained the lead until DSU pulled ahead with a three-pointer at 1:34 left in the first quarter.

Down by one going into the second quarter, UND fell behind by seven in the first three minutes. However, a pair of free throws by Mikayla Aumer sparked a seven-point run to tie the game at 22. Freshman Jocelyn Schiller's coast-to-coast layup, which included an and-one opportunity after securing a defensive rebound, capped the run. Dickinson State regained the lead briefly with three minutes left in the half, but UND responded with another seven-point run, taking a 33-28 advantage into halftime.

At the break, the Hawks were shooting 48% from the field and 85.7% from the free-throw line but struggled with 10 turnovers and only two steals.
The second half began with Aumer scoring five unanswered points to put UND up by 10. The Hawks tightened their defense, forcing just one turnover and securing five steals in the third quarter, holding DSU to just 12 points.

UND extended their lead to 17 with a five-point run to open the fourth quarter. It was the Hawks' most dominant period, as they outscored DSU 25-18 in the final frame. With 2 minutes remaining, Paris Bass, Mateya Mathern, and Sydney Piekny made their collegiate debuts. Piekny marked the occasion with her first career points, converting a fast-break layup off a steal at half court.

The Fighting Hawks will return to action on Sunday, November 17, at 2 p.m. when they host Green Bay at the Betty Engelstad Sioux Center.

Postgame Notes:

• Mikayla Aumer led the team with a career-high 19 points and career-high six rebounds.
• Kiera Pemberton (17 points) and Jocelyn Schiller (15 points) reached double figures for the second straight game.
• Pemberton tallied a career-high four steals to lead the team.
• Paris Bass, Mateya Mathern, and Sydney Piekny made their collegiate debuts.
• Piekny recorded her first career points and steal.
• Mathern notched her first career block.
• Dickinson State out-rebounded UND 40-39.
• UND edged DSU in steals, 9-4.
• The Hawks recorded three blocks and nine assists.
• UND outshot DSU from the field (44.6% to 35.8%), from beyond the arc (31.8% to 20%), and from the free-throw line (80% to 66.7%).
• UND now leads the all-time series 8-0.

How It Happened:

• Q1: UND 15, DSU 16
• Q2: UND 18, DSU 12
• Q3: UND 19, DSU 12
• Q4: UND 25, DSU 25

For more information on North Dakota women's basketball, visit FightingHawks.com or follow on social media @UNDwbasketball.