The NDSU women’s basketball team kept their season alive by taking down New Mexico State 68-65 in the second round of the Women’s National Invitation Tournament at the Scheels Center on Monday. The Bison will play Washington State this Thursday. 

Avery Koenen led the way for the Bison, recording a 17-point, 12-rebound double-double, her ninth of the year, while going 50% (6-12) from the field and 83% (5-6) from the free throw line. Abby Krzewinski was good for 15 points while going 2-5 from beyond the arc, and Abby Schulte added 11. 

The Bison won the points in the paint battle 36-30, the second-chance points 10-6, and the fast-break points 10-5. NDSU outrebounded NMSU 31-20, and the Bison went 21-26 from the free-throw line. 

The Bison were able to grind out a back-and-forth affair as the game saw six ties and five lead changes. A Claire Stern layup tied things at 15 to end the first quarter, and the game stayed close throughout as the first half ended with Bison up three, 34-31. NDSU came out strong in the second half, opening the third quarter on a 12-7 run to extend the lead to 46-38 thanks to an Abbie Draper layup with just over five minutes left in the quarter. 

The Bison kept out front in the half, as the Aggies were never able to tie or take the lead in the second half. A pair of Abby Krzewinski-made free throws wrapped things up for the Bison with four seconds left, and they ended up with a 68-65 victory. 

NDSU will stay home as they welcome the Cougars of Washington State on Thursday at the Scheels Center. Tip-off will be at 7 p.m. in the “Super 16” round of the Women’s NIT. The winner faces either North Texas or Troy in the “Great 8”.