Grand Forks, N.D. – The University of North Dakota women's basketball team earned a gritty 69-61 victory over Denver on Saturday afternoon at the Betty Engelstad Sioux Center. The Fighting Hawks improved to 7-10 overall and 2-2 in Summit League play.
 
North Dakota opened the game with strong defensive energy and efficient offense, building a 13-7 lead in the first quarter. Walker Demers made her presence felt early, scoring six points and grabbing three rebounds. The Fighting Hawks controlled the paint and limited Denver to 23.1% (3-of-13) shooting in the opening frame.
 
The second quarter saw the Hawks struggle offensively, scoring just seven points while shooting 16.7% (2-of-12) from the field. Despite the lull, UND's defense held firm, maintaining a 20-17 advantage at halftime. Kiera Pemberton's efforts on the boards and a pair of free throws from Mikayla Aumer helped UND weather the Pioneers' attempts to close the gap.
 
Coming out of halftime, UND shifted gears, outscoring Denver 21-15. The Hawks shot an impressive 72.7% (8-of-11) from the field, with Pemberton and Jocelyn Schiller combining for 10 points in the period. Demers added key free throws, and UND built its largest lead of the game, 41-32, heading into the final quarter.
 
Denver surged in the fourth quarter, putting up 29 points as they tried to mount a comeback. However, the Fighting Hawks' consistent free-throw shooting (16-of-17) in the fourth and timely defensive stops secured the victory. Fatima Ibrahim and Pemberton made clutch baskets down the stretch to fend off the Pioneers' rally.
 
North Dakota will return to action on Wednesday, January 15, to host South Dakota at 7 p.m.
 
Game Notes:

• Kiera Pemberton led the Fighting Hawks with 16 points, six rebounds, and three assists, shooting 6-of-13 from the field and 4-of-4 from the free throw line.
• Pemberton's has now scored double-digits in 16 games this season.
• Walker Demers contributed 14 points and six rebounds while going a perfect 8-for-8 from the free-throw line.
• Jocelyn Schiller added 11 points, eight rebounds, and a team-high four assists.
• UND shot 45.7% (21-of-46) from the field compared to DU's 32.1% (18-of-56).
• The Hawks went a stellar 96% (24-of-25) from the free-throw line to Denver's 91.7% (22-of-24).
• From three-point range, UND went 21.4% (3-of-14) to DU's 12.5% (3-of-24)
• NoDak outrebounded the Pios 34-29 and went 14-11 in turnovers.

 
How It Happened:
Q1: UND 13, Denver 7
Q2: UND 7, Denver 10
Q3: UND 21, Denver 15
Q4: UND 28, Denver 29

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