GRAND FORKS, N.D. - The Western Illinois women's basketball team (4-14, 3-7) outscored North Dakota (1-14, 1-8) 43-28 in the second half for an 83-74 victory on Saturday (Jan. 30) night.
"It's probably hard for a lot of people to realize how good of a win that is," head coach JD Gravina said. "North Dakota, now that they are healthy are a good team. We overcame so much adversity with foul trouble and some really tough off the court issues. It honestly was one of the tougher wins I've been a part of as a head coach."
Danni Nichols brought it to a six-point game (40-46, UND) with a big and-one to close the second quarter. She scored a team and season-high 24 points (7-10) with eight rebounds and eight points from the free-throw line.
WIU took its first lead of the game (51-50) from a free throw by Grace Gilmore at 8:27 in the third quarter. The senior ended with 17 points as four Leathernecks - Nichols (24), Evan Zars (14), Anna Deets (10), Sam Pryor (10) - also finished in double-figures.
After the Fighting Hawks took back the lead, the series finale featured four ties before Zars hit a last-second three-pointer to give WIU a 61-57 advantage in the fourth. Her three blocks moved her career total to 73 to tie Stephanie Lovingood (2005-08) for 5th all-time en route to her seventh double-double of the season.
Western Illinois went up 72-64 (5:19) midway through the fourth quarter. The host then went on a 7-0 run - all from the free-throw line- and made it a one-point game 72-71 (3:11), but Pryor drilled the dagger three to end the comeback effort at the 1:50 mark and hold on for the series split.
The game featured a combined 58 free-throw attempts and 52 fouls.
The Leathernecks head to Omaha next weekend (Feb. 6-7) before returning home against Denver (Feb. 12-13).
