Women cruise to 75-49 win over North Dakota

Cooper Kanthak, Sports Reporter

GRAND FORKS, N.D. – The SDSU Women’s basketball team continued its hot shooting Thursday night as they defeated North Dakota with a final score of 75-49.

The Jackrabbits shot 44% from the field and 43% from 3-point land, making nine total to push their winning streak to five games and their record to 13-8 overall and 9-1 in the conference.

SDSU’s defense was also stellar, holding UND to just 31% shooting and outrebounded the Fighting Hawks 52-32.

Paiton Burckhard led the way with 21 points along with nine rebounds. Myah Selland chipped in 17 while Tori Nelson had 13 points and eight rebounds. Paige Meyer dished out six assists as SDSU as a team totaled 16.

The Jacks opened the game on a 9-0 run in the first two minutes of the game, forcing UND to call a quick timeout. The Jacks hit five 3-pointers in the opening frame leading 25-9 after the first quarter. Burckhard led all scorers with eight points.

North Dakota started the second quarter with a quick 7-0 run of their own and held SDSU scoreless for four minutes. SDSU gathered themselves and got back in rhythm to take a 38-19 lead at the half. Tori Nelson led the way with 11 points while Burckhard had 10 points along with eight rebounds.

The Jackrabbits came out of the break on a 12-0 run that lasted over four minutes and they never looked back. They finished the quarter leading 58-28, only allowing nine total points on 4-20 shooting for the Fighting Hawks.

UND showed some fight in the fourth quarter but in the end, the Jacks come out victorious with a final score of 75-49.

UND was led by Melissa Leet with 10 points and 9 rebounds.

The Jacks are back in action Saturday at 7 p.m. in Fargo, N.D. against rival North Dakota State.