The Bison Women’s basketball squad entered Monday night after having played their most recent game, 17 days ago.
The first quarter set the tone for how this game would go, as it was a very physical game. NDSU would lead for primarily the whole quarter, never going up by more than four points. New Mexico State would get a lay-up to give themselves a lead right before the end of the first, but the Bison and Claire Stern would break through the full-court-press to hit a buzzer beating layup to tie the game at 15 apiece through one quarter.
The second quarter was much of the same as the first, as no-one gained more than a one-possession lead, the whole quarter. The Bison mostly played from behind during this span, until Abby Krzewinski made back-to-back three-points shots, to give NDSU the lead, a lead they would have until the end of the half. North Dakota State would enter the break, up 34-31.
Coming out of the break, the Bison would string together shots, resulting in a 14-5 run. That 14- point run would give them their biggest lead of the night, sitting at 46-38 with just over five minutes to play in the third. New Mexico State wasn’t going to let this one slip away in the third, however. After the Aggies found themselves down eight, they would claw themselves back into the game, going on an 8-2 run themselves in just three minutes of game time. In those three minutes, the Bison wouldn’t register a made field goal, getting the two points from two Avery Koenen free throws. The Bison would remain ahead at the end of the third, up 55-51.
The fourth quarter was as dramatic as you could get for a March basketball game. Both team’s defense was stellar in the final quarter of play, as there were only three made field goals between both teams through the first five minutes of action. Sophomore Avery Koenen would put in two layups in a row to stretch NDSU’s lead to seven with around four-and-a-half minutes left. Just when it looked like the Bison were going to put this game away, the Aggies responded with a 7-1 run to bring the game within one single point, with a minute left to go. Guard Molly Kaiser would contribute five of those seven points in that small stretch.
The Bison would play the free-throw game the rest of the way. Avery Koenen and Abby Krzewinski would combine to go 4-4 at the line. After Krzewinski’s made free throws, the Aggies would take the ball up with one last chance. Fanta Gassama would hit a three-point shot for NMSU, or so we thought. Gassama’s foot turned out to be on the line, which was recognized right away and NDSU would still hold the lead at one. Abby Krzewinski would be fouled immediately upon inbound and would head to the line. Krzewinski hit both of her shots, icing the game, ending the thrilling Bison win, 68-65.
North Dakota State saw great performances overall from everyone that touched the court.
Avery Koenen secured another double-double, scoring 17 points, grabbing 12 rebounds, nine of which were defensive boards.
Abby Krzewinski also had a stellar night, scoring 15 points, six of those points coming via the three ball. Abby Schulte also scored 11 points in the win.
The Bison will be back in Fargo to host the Super-16 round. NDSU will play against Washington State on Thursday with tip-off set for 7:00 p.m.
*This article was written by Flag Family Media intern Cayden Lloyd*