BOX SCORE
GRAND FORKS, North Dakota – The University Texas-Pan American women's basketball team could not find the mark from beyond the arc as they shot just 30% from three-point land and 31% overall for the game in a 76-63 loss to the Fighting Sioux of the University of North Dakota Thursday night at the Sioux Center. The loss was the third in Great West Conference action for UTPA.
The Broncs (9-11, 1-3 GWC) and the Fighting Sioux (7-11, 3-0 GWC) both struggled with their shooting in the first half. Texas-Pan American shot just 10-33 (30%) from the field while UND shot 6-23 (26%) in the opening 20 minutes.
After two Bianca Torre misses from beyond the arc and two UTPA offensive boards, a Re-Shawndra Jackson three gave the Broncs the early 3-0 advantage. The lead was short lived as the Sioux responded with a 10-2 run and lead 10-5 with 15:02 to play in the first half.
Four minutes later the Broncs regained the lead on a Donna Jackson jumper, taking a 12-11 lead. The two squads would trade the lead twice more with the Sioux grabbing a 21-16 lead with 5:19 to play until the intermission, after a pair of Megan Lauck free throws. The five-point advantage was the largest of the half for the Sioux.
Two minutes late the Broncs trailed 24-19, but started to heat up from beyond the arc. Maria Ben Erligsdottir hit the first of three first half three-pointers, part of a 13-3 run to close out the half for UTPA. The Broncs led at the intermission 32-27.
The Fighting Sioux took control of the game to start the second half, regaining the lead at 37-35 on an Allyssa Wall lay-up, capping off a 10-3 run.
After trailing by five, the Broncs would pull back within a point when Ce'Monay Newell drained a three with 8:49 to play, making the score 51-50 with UND ahead. The Sioux would begin to pull away starting with the ensuing possession. Katie Houdek pushed the lead to three with a jumper, starting a 14-3 run which gave the Sioux a 65-53 lead with 2:53 to play in the game. The Broncs went ice cold from the field during the UND run as they were held scoreless for a little over four minutes. North Dakota was efficient in the second period shooting at a 54% clip including 60% from beyond the arc.
Torre led the Broncs in scoring with 14 points, also adding a team high eight rebounds. Torre struggled with her shooting as she hit five of her 23 field goal attempts. Re-Shawndra Jackson was the only other double figure scorer with 10 points. Erlingdottir and Newell each chipped in with nine. Erin Lewis, third in the nation in assists, dished out just four helpers on Thursday.
Mallory Youngblut was a star for UND scoring a game high 21 points, along with six boards and team high seven assists. Wall added 18 points with six rebounds. Lauck scored with 12 and seven rebounds. North Dakota won the battle of the boards 46-42.
The Broncs wrap up their season long eight game road trip on Saturday when they take on the Coyotes of the University of South Dakota in Great West Conference action. Tip-off for the game is scheduled for 6:00 PM.
