BOWLING GREEN, Ky. – The University of North Dakota women's basketball team dropped a hard-fought contest against Western Kentucky, 74-69, on Sunday afternoon at E.A. Diddle Arena. The Fighting Hawks fell to 2-3 on the season while the WKU improved to 5-0.
 
North Dakota trailed early after Western Kentucky's hot shooting from beyond the arc in the first quarter, as WKU hit six threes and jumped out to a 24-14 lead. Jayla Owen came out strong, pacing the Hawks with five points, including one three.
 
UND responded in the second quarter with a 13-0 run, taking a brief lead before going into halftime ahead 34-31. Mikayla Aumer's eight points in the quarter, along with Fatima Ibrahim's presence in the paint, helped UND dominate the frame, outscoring WKU 20-7. The Hawks held Western Kentucky to just 3-of-15 field goal attempts and 1-of-9 three-pointers.
 
The third quarter saw momentum swing back to Western Kentucky, who used a 13-0 run to retake control of the game. UND kept it close, but WKU's Acacia Hayes, who scored a game-high 21 points, fought past the Hawks' defense. Heading into the final quarter, the Hawks trailed 51-49.
 
In the fourth, UND fought valiantly, with Jocelyn Schiller and Kiera Pemberton combining for 11 points. Aumer's two free throws with 45 seconds left put NoDak within three. However, WKU's clutch free throws in the final nine seconds sealed the victory.

North Dakota will continue on the road to play in the Christmas City Classic in Bethlehem, Pa. next weekend on November 30 and December 1. 
 
Postgame Notes:

• Mikayla Aumer led UND with 15 points, including a perfect 8-for-8 from the free-throw line.
• Walker Demers recorded a team-high 12 rebounds and six points, also going a perfect 4-of-4 from the free throw line.
• UND out-rebounded WKU 39-29, including 12 offensive boards.
• Western Kentucky capitalized on the 24-15 turnovers tilt, scoring 24 points compared to UND's 13.
• UND shot 46.8% (22-of-47) from the field, slightly edging WKU's 41.9% (26-of-62).
• The Hawks led free throw 73.1% (19-of-26) to 58.8% (10-of-17).
• WKU edged three-pointers going 37.5% (12-of-32) to 33.3% (6-of-18).

 
How It Happened:

• Q1: UND 14, WKU 24
• Q2: UND 20, WKU 7
• Q3: UND 15, WKU 20
• Q4: UND 20, WKU 23

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