CHENEY, Wash.-- Junior Megan Lauck hit a career-high five triples and
visiting North Dakota shot 51 percent from the floor but it was not
enough as Eastern Washington held on for a 75-72 win at Reese Court in
Big Sky Conference play Thursday night. UND led by as many as 11 in the
second half but key turnovers allowed EWU back into the game as it held
on for the home win.
Lauck tied a career best with 21 points as North Dakota knocked down a season-high-tying seven triples in the loss. Her second three of the second half gave UND (7-9, 2-5 Big Sky) a quick nine-point lead in the opening minutes of the second stanza. That margin would stretch to as many as 11 with the visiting team dominating play to that point.
That Lauck three would be the final UND field goal for the next 6:24, however, allowing EWU (8-8, 4-3) to rattle off a 12-1 run and re-knot the score at 47-all. Sophomore Emily Evers had a putback to end the stretch and North Dakota looked to be recovering from its dryspell.
UND regained a five-point advantage with 6:25 to go but a layup by Carrie Ojeda and a three from EWU leading scorer Lexie Nelson tied the score at 64-apiece. Lauck answered on the next trip with her fifth three of the night and Madi Buck added a layup for a 69-64 UND lead.
From there, the Eagles embarked on a 10-2 spurt to take their first lead of the second period. The home team's advantage was three with 17 seconds left when Siri Burck was fouled. She split the pair to get it back within two and Hayley Hodgins missed the back end of two free throws with 11 seconds left to leave some hope for UND.
North Dakota got it into the frontcourt and swung it to Evers on the perimeter, who got a decent look at a three from the right wing, but it fell off and EWU escaped with the 75-72 victory.
EWU had four players in double figures, led by 19 from Lexie Nelson. Carrie Ojeda added 17 Hayley Hodgins 16 and Kylie Huerta 13 for the Eagles. UND got 12 points from freshman reserve Mia Loyd and nine points and nine rebounds from Evers.
UND closes its four-game road swing Saturday at Portland State with tip time slated for 4:00 p.m. Central.
Notes: UND set season highs in field goal percentage (.510), three-point percentage (.467) and threes made (tied, 7) ... Nicole Smart buried a three in the first half for her 100th as a collegian ... EWU led for just 3:56 the entire game ... North Dakota fell to 7-2 when scoring 60-plus points this season.
Lauck tied a career best with 21 points as North Dakota knocked down a season-high-tying seven triples in the loss. Her second three of the second half gave UND (7-9, 2-5 Big Sky) a quick nine-point lead in the opening minutes of the second stanza. That margin would stretch to as many as 11 with the visiting team dominating play to that point.
That Lauck three would be the final UND field goal for the next 6:24, however, allowing EWU (8-8, 4-3) to rattle off a 12-1 run and re-knot the score at 47-all. Sophomore Emily Evers had a putback to end the stretch and North Dakota looked to be recovering from its dryspell.
UND regained a five-point advantage with 6:25 to go but a layup by Carrie Ojeda and a three from EWU leading scorer Lexie Nelson tied the score at 64-apiece. Lauck answered on the next trip with her fifth three of the night and Madi Buck added a layup for a 69-64 UND lead.
From there, the Eagles embarked on a 10-2 spurt to take their first lead of the second period. The home team's advantage was three with 17 seconds left when Siri Burck was fouled. She split the pair to get it back within two and Hayley Hodgins missed the back end of two free throws with 11 seconds left to leave some hope for UND.
North Dakota got it into the frontcourt and swung it to Evers on the perimeter, who got a decent look at a three from the right wing, but it fell off and EWU escaped with the 75-72 victory.
EWU had four players in double figures, led by 19 from Lexie Nelson. Carrie Ojeda added 17 Hayley Hodgins 16 and Kylie Huerta 13 for the Eagles. UND got 12 points from freshman reserve Mia Loyd and nine points and nine rebounds from Evers.
UND closes its four-game road swing Saturday at Portland State with tip time slated for 4:00 p.m. Central.
Notes: UND set season highs in field goal percentage (.510), three-point percentage (.467) and threes made (tied, 7) ... Nicole Smart buried a three in the first half for her 100th as a collegian ... EWU led for just 3:56 the entire game ... North Dakota fell to 7-2 when scoring 60-plus points this season.
