DENVER, Colo. (UND Athletics) – North Dakota (2-15, 2-9 Summit) picked up its second Summit League win of the season on Saturday at Denver (5-11, 3-5 Summit), bruising its way to +28 on the glass and forcing the Pioneers to its second-lowest shooting performance of the season in a 75-70 triumph.
Julia Fleecs, Jaclyn Jarnot, and Olivia Lanerecorded double-doubles as the trio combined for 52 points and 35 rebounds. Fleecs paced the Fighting Hawk offense with 23 points and 14 rebounds. Mikayla Reinke once again had a solid night running the point, dishing six assists with nine rebounds and three steals.
After two quick three-pointers that put Denver on top by 10 with 6:58 left in the first half, UND closed the second quarter on a 13-3 run to tie the game at 31. The Fighting Hawk defense only allowed three field goals and nine points in the quarter.
Jarnot drained three shots behind the arc in the first quarter to score nine in the first half, and Fleecs scored 10 points on 4-of-6 shooting in the second quarter alone.
The Fighting Hawks defense also held DU’s top-scorer Meghan Boyd to three points in the first half, less than 24 hours after scoring 27 for the Pios. The frustrated Boyd finished the night with 11 points as Claire Orth stuck to the scorer like glue and forced the sophomore to 2-of-6 shooting from the field.
With Orth leading the defensive charge, UND held DU to 30.6-percent from the field, the second-lowest field goal percentage for the Pioneers this season. Only South Dakota has held Denver to a lower field goal percentage this season (27.3).
“I wouldn’t say that was the prettiest win but we’ll take it,” said Interim Head Coach Mallory Bernhard. Though UND went 15-for-22 at the free-throw line, Bernhard was pleased with the team’s defensive effort in the second quarter, which gave the team momentum.
“Denver hit a three-pointer with 7:15 left in the second and didn’t hit another one ’til 33 seconds left. They scored six in the first three minutes and then we locked it down and they went several minutes without any field goals or free throw or anything, so it’s always going to come down to defense for us,” Bernhard added.
Fleecs scored a three-pointer on the opening possession of the second half and paved the way for UND’s eight-point lead entering the final period., However, DU did not go gentle into the good night.
Denver made it a two-possession game thanks to a three-ball and a pair of free throws by forward Uju Ezeudu with 8:31 remaining, 54-51. However, the Fighting Hawks matched the Pioneers grit as it built and maintained a three-possession lead until the final seconds.
Like a swarm of disheveled bees after its nest has fallen, the Pios’ final push lasted until the final buzzer. Trailing by five, Anna Jacks caused a UND turnover as she forced a jump ball after Megan Zander received an inbounds pass. Denver was unable to do anything with possession, however, as UND earned the series split, 75-70.
The University of North Dakota will host South Dakota next weekend, holding its annual Pink Game on Saturday for Breast Cancer Awareness and Senior Day on Sunday. Both contests will tip at noon Central.
