GRAND FORKS, N.D. ? With a combination of five players in double-figures, 50 percent shooting from the field and over 63 percent shooting from the free throw line, North Dakota made university and team history as it captured its first-ever victory as a Division I program. The win came by a margin of 80-71 as the Fighting Sioux defeated Eastern Michigan in front of a crowd of 1,335 at the Betty Engelstad Sioux Center for the 2008-09 home and season opener.
After their first meeting on the court with the Eagles, North Dakota is 1-0. EMU will start its season 0-1.
The Eagles were the first to put a point on the board, but UND quickly answered back as sophomore Mallory Youngblut dropped in a layup to tie the game and register the first DI basket for the Sioux.
The Davenport, Iowa native went on to lead the team in scoring with 17 points after shooting 4-for-7 from the field, 7-for-8 at the bonusline and 2-for-3 from behind the arc. She also led with two blocked shots.
She was joined by senior Kierah Kimbrough (Greenbush, Minn.) who posted the 21st double-double of her career with 15 points, 10 rebounds (eight defensive), two steals and a blocked shot. Also with 15 points was fellow senior Danye Guinn (St. Francis, Minn.). Four-for-seven from the three-point line, she added five rebounds, four assists, two steals and a blocked shot.
Rounding out the double-figures were a pair of juniors, Kayla Bagaason (Clearbrook, Minn.) and Whitney Ledger (Bismarck, N.D.) who finished with 13 and 11 points, respectively. Bagaason added five rebounds while Ledger brought down two.
The Sioux fell behind in the first half, but a scattering of baskets put them on a 13-2 rally to take a 21-14 lead. Going into the locker-room, UND held a 40-37 advantage over Eastern Michigan.
To open the second half, the Sioux went on a few runs, but the momentum really picked up midway through the second stanza. The Fighting Sioux out-scored the Eagles, 14-1 with the help of baskets by Youngblut, Kimbrough, Bagaason, Ledger, and sophomore Corey Lof (Detroit Lakes, Minn.) to take a 69-53 lead.
Ledger continued to show fire from the bench scoring UND's next three baskets. Unable to take and make good shots, the Eagles took the loss on the road.
Turnovers and player fouls may have been a factor in the win as UND held a 13-20 advantage in both categories. They also out-shot the Eagles 50-42.1 percent from the field.
The Sioux are back in action this weekend in Bozeman, Mont. On Sunday, Nov. 16 UND will take on Montana State for a 3:05 p.m. tipoff.
? Go Sioux ?
