MACOMB, Ill. – Western Illinois (2-8, 1-1) and North Dakota State (6-2, 1-1) split the opening Summit League season series as the Bison won 60-93 on Sunday (Jan. 3).
The win for NDSU marked just the third victory ever inside Western Hall and the first since 2014. Danni Nichols (13) and Grace Gilmore (15) finished in double figures in back-to-back games. Evan Zars tied her career-high with five blocks and added nine points.
In the second game of the series, it was NDSU this time that got off to a quick start. The Bison shot 60 percent (9-15) from the field and closed on a 9-0 run to lead 23-12 at the end of the first quarter.
Gilmore and Nichols helped pace the offense in the second quarter as they combined for 13 of WIU’s 17 points. They brought the game back to single digits (38-29), but a buzzer-beater three pushed North Dakota State ahead 41-29 into half.
The visitors opened the third quarter on a 7-0 run to eventually take a 19 point lead (48-29) at the 8:30 mark. Freshman Mallory McDermott brought the deficit to 11 (56-45) at 2:05 with a corner three, but another Bison run to start the fourth quarter helped secure the series split.
Western Illinois heads to South Dakota State on Saturday (Jan. 8) and Sunday (Jan. 9), both games are set for 5 p.m. and will serve as the league opener for the Jackrabbits.
***Recap courtesy of WIU Athletics***
