GRAND FORKS, N.D. – North Dakota women's basketball's offense stalled as it got overrun by Minnesota Crookston, 81-68, in the season opener on Monday evening at the Betty Engelstad Sioux Center in Grand Forks, N.D.
The Fighting Hawks (0-1) struggled to find offensive rhythm from the jump, shooting 26.8 percent for the night. Oppositely, the Golden Eagles made 50.8 percent of their shot attempts. UND shot 1-for-17 from 3-point range in the first half, before settling and ultimately making five for the night.
London Harris led the way for the Fighting Hawks, setting career highs in points with17 and rebounds with nine, while adding and two steals.
Aliyah Green had a standout first game in the Kelly Green and White, dropping 10 points with a trio of steals and seven rebounds.
Sydney Piekny also had 12 points with three made long balls.
Anna Westby played a large role in Minnesota Crookston's win, securing a 29-point, 11-rebound double-double.
The Golden Eagles scored the first field goal of the night on a second chance layup. UMC worked up to a 10-3 lead before UND had made a field goal, but the momentum shifted after
Kendra Harvey made a quick transition 3-pointer. The Golden Hawks responded with a 3-pointer of their own, and three more points off a free throw and a layup. Harris made back-to-back layups for the Hawks as the first quarter concluded with the Golden Eagles maintaining a one-point lead.
The second quarter mirrored the showcase of the first 10 minutes, with Crookston setting the tone from the opening whistle.
Jayda Maves Notched an impressive and-one to spark some energy but it wouldn't last before UMC upped its lead up to 10 points with 18 seconds remaining in the half.
Lauren Hillesheim brought the deficit back to single digits with a buzzer beater layup off a steal from Green.
The third quarter began with UND showing clear adjustments and a renewed source of energy. After struggling behind the arc in the first half as a team, Piekny caught fire quickly, scoring back-to-back triples to reduce UMC's lead back to single digits.
Addison Klosterbuer added to the long-range barrage, scoring her first bucket as a Fighting Hawk off a feed from
Ciona Wells. The added effort led to a stronger execution of the game plan, as UND trailed by only five points with 10 minutes remaining.
However, Westby would take over from the opening whistle by scoring the next six points for the visitors before two minutes had passed in frame. Piekny added her third triple of the game which brought some momentum, which was added after
Ciona Wells added a driving layup in the following possession. The Fighting Hawks had come under foul trouble and were looking to mount a comeback, but Minnesota Crookston's offensive attack wouldn't cease, as the final buzzer sounded with them on top, 81-68.
Postgame Notes
- Minnesota Crookston defeated North Dakota for the first time in its history. The all-time series record is now 10-1 in UND's favor.
- London Harris had career bests in points (17) and rebounds (nine), nearly securing her first career double-double. She led the Fighting Hawks in both statistical categories this evening.
- Five Fighting Hawks recorded their first points in a UND jersey, including returner Addison Klosterbuer, who missed last season due to an ACL injury.
- North Dakota forced 23 UMC turnovers and managed to score 25 points off said turnovers. Alternately, the Fighting Hawks only committed 12 turnovers.
- Sydney Piekny had 12 points, draining a trio of 3-pointers. It marks 11 times in her career she's had at least three long balls in one game.
- Ciona Wells, Aliyah Green and Jayda Maves earned their first career Division I starts.
- All five women scorers placed in the top seven
How it Happened
Q1: North Dakota 19, Minnesota Crookston 21
Q2: North Dakota 38, Minnesota Crookston 40
Q3: North Dakota 48, Minnesota Crookston 53
Q4: North Dakota 68, Minnesota Crookston 81
Up Next
UND doesn't play again until Nov. 8 at home against Minot State. Tipoff is set for 1 p.m. CT at the Betty Engelstad Sioux Center.
For more information on North Dakota Women's Basketball, follow on social media @UNDwbasketball or visit FightingHawks.com.
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