GRAND FORKS, N.D. (UND Athletics) – The University of North Dakota (2-16, 2-10 Summit) overcame a 13-point second-quarter deficit to hang within one and two possessions of South Dakota (211-5, 7-2 Summit) for the final three-quarters of play. Despite their opportunities, the Fighting Hawks could not get over the hump as they fell to the Coyotes, 72-63.
North Dakota closed the first half on a 12-3 run to make it a four-point game at halftime, 34-30, as it played with that fire until the final buzzer sounded. North Dakota shot a season-best 52-percent from the field but finished the fourth quarter 0-for-5 at the free throw line after opening the game 5-for-6.
Claire Orth took over the game on both ends of the floor, scoring 13 points off the bench and dishing five assists. The junior was stalwart defensively as well, recording two steals and setting up UND’s transition play. Megan Zander and Jaclyn Jarnot, who forced Summit League Player of the Year candidate Hannah Sjerven to foul out, scored 17 and 13 points, respectively. Zander was 3-for-5 behind the three-point line as well.
