The North Dakota State women’s basketball team put up their biggest win of the season over the winter break, but could only take two wins in six games over that period. With Summit League play getting under way, the game begins to count for a bit more now.

Valparaiso

Fresh off of finals week, the Bison notched their third win of the season against the Crusaders with a 51-48 victory at the Scheels Center.

A tight affair throughout, the visitors led in the early going. A 7-0 run by the Bison in the middle of the third quarter gave the home team the lead. Michelle Gaislerova pushed the lead to seven in the fourth, giving her a team-high 11 points.

NDSU held off a small run late from Valparaiso and held on for the victory.

San Francisco

The good feelings of the Valparaiso win were combined with a December trip to Florida for the Hatter Classic hosted by Stetson.

On the court, the results failed to fall in favor of the Bison, starting with San Francisco. NDSU kept it close in the first quarter, but the Dons pulled away. An 11-0 run put San Francisco in full control and they never looked back.

The Bison shooters failed to get going during the game. NDSU failed to score in the last 6:43, as San Francisco walked away with a 75-42 win. Sofija Zivaljevic led the Bison with 11 points, as the team struggled offensively, shooting 36.4 percent from the field.

Stetson

NDSU played the host Hatters stronger the following day. Rylee Nudell and Gaislerova got the Bison off to an 11-0 run to start the game.

Zivaljevic’s bucket in the second gave the Bison a 12-point lead, their largest of the season.

However, the hosts fought back in the second half. A 13-5 run by the Hatters gave them the lead in the middle of the fourth. The two teams swapped the lead late before Stetson took the lead for good with 57 seconds left.

Gaislerova was fouled on a 3-point attempt, but could only convert two of the ensuing free throws, as the Hatters held on 60-59. Giaslerova finished with a team-high 20 points.

Purdue Fort Wayne

Back in a snow filled Fargo, the Bison got back to their winning ways to open Summit League action. NDSU controlled the game thanks to an early 10-0 run.

The home team created even more of a cushion with a 21-0 run to close out the half. Giaslerova’s jumper in the middle of the third pushed the lead to 28, a new season high.

This time the Bison wouldn’t give up the lead, winning 70-54. Zivaljeivc led the Bison with a career-high 16 points and was joined in double digits with Nudell and Tyrah Spencer.

South Dakota

One of the Summit League favorites came to Fargo next and took care of business. Despite a 7-0 run from the Bison to start the game, the Coyotes went on a 15-0 run of their own to take the lead for good.

NDSU put up only 16 points in the last half of the game, as USD took the game 67-41. Emily Dietz led the Bison with 12 points. The Coyotes shot 7-13 from 3-point range in the contest.

Omaha

Meeting Omaha on the road, the Bison finished the winter break with a 2-4 mark overall and a 1-2 mark in the Summit League. The Mavericks doubled up the Bison in the first quarter and held on to take the game 78-61.

NDSU went on a 14-0 run in the second to pull back into the contest.  Danneka Voegeli’s lay-up tied the game at 25 in the latter stages of the half.

Omaha took control in the second half and continued to stretch their lead until the final buzzer. Nudell led the Bison with 12 points on the night.

NDSU continue their Summit League slate at the SHAC Friday, Jan. 11 against Western Illinois.