Mavericks put up close game against top offense of North Dakota State

Photo courtesy Omaha Athletics

By Emma Reilly, contributor

Scheels Center, Fargo, ND (Friday, Jan. 8, 2020) - Maverick women’s basketball gave the Bison a run for their money on Friday, ending their 6th game of the season with a 53-62 loss against the second-best offense in the league.

The Bison own the best three-point shooting percentage, despite having one of the youngest teams in Division 1.

The Mavericks focused on keeping an aggressive defense, but weren’t able to keep up with the Bisons’ fast breaks off of defensive rebounds. However, the Mavs trailed the Bison 13-12 in the first quarter making six of 15 shots compared to the Bisons’ three of 13 shots.

The pace of the second quarter took a turn with both teams having seven turnovers with six minutes left in the half. Claire Killian, Abby Johnson, and Ella Ogier drove into the paint giving the Mavericks momentum by scoring 20 points.

The Mavericks went into the half behind the Bison 20-29. The Mavs had 9 turnovers compared to the Bison’s 7.

Killian secured a layup with the assist from Ogier to change the momentum of the game with the Mavericks trailing by just two heading into the fourth quarter.

Freshman Lauren Frost then made a break into the paint making a layup tying the game in the first minute of the final quarter. Frost ended with 12 points for Omaha.

As the defense picked up on both sides, Omaha’s Mariah Murdie fouled out with five minutes left.

With NDSU’s Reneye Hopkins and Heaven Hamling racking up threes for the Bison, the Mavs could not keep up. Hamling was the “Player of the Game” closing with 13 points and 5 assists.

The final scoreboard read 53-62 with the Bison on top. The Mavericks face off the Bison again tomorrow at 5 p.m. at the Scheels Center.