MILWAUKEE – North Dakota women's basketball dropped its game against Milwaukee, 77-49, Thursday evening at the Klotsche Center.
A strong start from Milwaukee (1-3) was the deciding factor in the game. The Panthers shot 17-for-27 in the first half from the field, which included a 54.5 percent mark from long range. North Dakota (1-2) went 3-for-18 from 3-point range in the half, the only made triples for the Hawks in the evening, and scored only nine points in the second quarter. The Fighting Hawks also had foul trouble in the first half, with two starters holding multiple fouls through the first 30 minutes of play.
Milwaukee finished the game with nine 3-pointers and shot 44.3 overall from the from. The Panthers outrebounded the Fighting Hawks 46-to-25, including 14 on the offensive glass, while dishing eight more assists than UND.
Jayda Maves was North Dakota's leading scorer with 14,
Ciona Wells was the Fighting Hawks' top passer for the third game in a row with four assists and
Aliyah Green once again impressed in the paint with eight rebounds.
Three of Milwaukee's first four field goals came by way of the 3-pointer. The Panthers added a pair of 2-point jumpers before the Hawks responded with two triples of their own, but another long ball from MKE and a layup put it up, 24-13, at the end of period one.
The Panthers took over in the second, outscoring the Fighting Hawks 22-9. They shot 8-for-13 in the period and committed no shooting fouls, not allowing UND to reach the free throw line in the second quarter. Milwaukee took a 46-22 lead into halftime.
Milwaukee went on an 11-0 run to begin the third quarter. North Dakota scored its first point off a free throw at the 5:32 mark to break the drought, but Milwaukee added six more points before the Fighting Hawks first field goal of the second half. The Panthers led 67-29 after the third.
The Fighting Hawks found an offensive rhythm in the fourth quarter as it went on 13-2 run to erase some of the deficit. They scored five consecutive field goals in that span.
London Harris and
Lauren Hillesheim led the charge, scoring 10 of the 13 points. Despite the signs of life at the end, the final buzzer sounded with Milwaukee in front, 77-49.
Postgame Notes
- With the loss, North Dakota's series lead is now 3-2 all-time.
- Jayda Maves was UND's leading scorer for the second game in a row. She contributed 14 points, four rebounds, two steals and an assist.
- Aliyah Green reached her season average with eight rebounds, leading the team for the second game in a row.
- Ciona Wells has led the Fighting Hawks in assists in all three games to start the season, dishing three against the Panthers.
- Milwaukee earned its first win of the season.
- The Fighting Hawks and Panthers had the same number of points in the paint, 28.
- Kinley Smith scored her first collegiate points with a layup in the third quarter.
- The Fighting Hawks scored 11 unanswered points in the fourth quarter, with London Harris and Lauren Hillesheim combining for eight of those points.
How it Happened
Q1: North Dakota 13, Minot State 24
Q2: North Dakota 22, Minot State 46
Q3: North Dakota 29, Minot State 67
Q4: North Dakota 49, Minot State 77
Up Next
North Dakota continues its road trip, heading across Lake Michigan to face Detroit Mercy on Saturday, Nov. 14. Tipoff is set for noon C.T.
For more information on North Dakota Women's Basketball, follow on social media @UNDwbasketball or visit FightingHawks.com.
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