NDSU Women’s Basketball Holds Off Boise State, 70-66

SEATTLE – Three Bison reached double digits in scoring as the North Dakota State women’s basketball team topped Boise State, 70-66, at the Husky Classic on Thursday afternoon at Alaska Airlines Arena.

After NDSU (7-5) led by as many as 17 points in the first half, Boise State (10-3) stormed back in the third quarter with a 16-5 run spanning nearly five minutes to tie the contest, 41-41, at the 4:26 mark with a pair of free throws from Natalie Pasco. The Bison answered with a 7-3 run of their own capped off by a layup from Miriley Simon to close out the frame, 52-46.

Both teams then traded points throughout the fourth quarter until Boise State trimmed the deficit down to five points, 68-63, with a layup from Pasco with 17 seconds to play. Following a free throw from Molly Lenz, Pasco answered again for the Broncos with a triple to make the score 69-66 with 11 seconds remaining. However, Marisa Frost put the game out of reach with a free throw with 10 seconds left to help seal the 70-66 win.

Abby Krzewinski tied a season-high 15 points on 3-of-5 shooting from three and 5-of-12 from the field. Abbie Draper reached double digits in scoring for the second straight game with 15 points on 5-of-6 shooting from the field and 4-of-4 from the free throw line. Molly Lenz also reached double digits in scoring with 11 points and grabbed a career-high seven rebounds.

As a team, the Bison shot 43.4 percent (23-53) from the field and 67.9 percent (19-28) from the free throw line. NDSU netted 36 points in the paint and 22 points off of turnovers. The Bison also grabbed 35 rebounds with eight different players notching at least one in comparison to the Broncos’ 24.

NDSU will be back in action to wrap up non-conference play hosting Dakota Wesleyan on Sunday, Dec. 29. Tip-off is set for 1:00 p.m., at Scheels Center.