North Dakota State has struggled this season, and even had a chance to turn its fortunes around Tuesday at the Bentson Bunker Fieldhouse against Grand Canyon University. However, a plethora of turnovers by the Bison and a late fourth quarter run by the Antelopes led to yet another 76-67 loss for the Bison.

NDSU did look solid out of the gate, led by sophomore guard Taylor Thunstedt; Bison led the game after the first quarter 18-16.

“I think it was just about getting my confidence back,” Thunstedt said about her career-high 24 points.

An equally as strong first half from the Antelopes Jessica Gajewski had GCU with the one-point 33-32 upper hand heading into the locker rooms at halftime.

The second half was competitive from the start with each team trading runs. The shootout between Thunstedt and Gajewski also continued into the second half.

Both scored in double-digits and looked unguardable but the biggest difference was that Gajewski’s team made far fewer mistakes down the stretch and made the runs when they needed to.

Outside of the turnovers, the game was pretty even from a statistical standpoint.

Both teams had 41 rebounds and NDSU even had 4 blocks compared to the Antelopes zero. The turnovers are what continue to be the Achilles heal of the Bison.

Even with the loss, head coach Maren Walseth was pleased with the effort that her team put forward.

“If we continue to play with that consistent effort, we will be very successful in the Summit League,” Walseth said after the game.

With the loss, NDSU drops to 2-6 on the season with only five more games until Summit League play begins.

NDSU will suit up next against instate rival University of North Dakota up in Grand Forks Friday at 2 p.m.