GREELEY, Colo.-- Second-half perimeter shooting and efficient free-throw shooting propelled visiting North Dakota past Northern Colorado, 68-58, Saturday afternoon at the Bank of Colorado Arena in Big Sky Conference play.

Senior Megan Lauck poured-in a game-high 23 points while classmate Siri Burck had three second-half triples to spark UND from down seven points.

The teams played to a 31-31 draw through the opening period that saw nine ties and five lead changes in a tight battle. North Dakota scored nearly half of its points from the charity stripe in the opening stanza, making good on 15 of 16 attempts.

Out of the gate in the second half, UND made just one of its first eight shots from the floor allowing the host Bears to get out to a lead as large as seven midway through the half. UND had just six points after halftime and trailed 44-37 until Burck tripled from the wing, part of three second-half trifectas to spark the offense.  Burck's second triple a minute later coupled with a Lauck three from the left corner put UND in front for the first time in the second half.

The Bears tied the score and reclaimed the lead on a couple different occasions but North Dakota, fueled by a solid defensive effort, finished the game on a 14-5 run. It started with a conventional three-point play by Szabla and Lauck piled on another three for a comfortable 60-53 advantage with just under 90 seconds to play.  UND went 8-for-8 from the free throw line in the final minute to seal it, part of a remarkable 31-for-34 effort as a team for the game.  

Mia Loyd collected a defensive rebound on the final possession for her 12th double-double of the season and ninth in her last ten contests. Burck finished the night with 11 points while Szabla recorded 14.

D'Shara Strange had 20 points and Stephanie Lee chipped in 17 for the host Bears.

North Dakota (11-6, 3-2 Big Sky) hosts Idaho and Eastern Washington next week on Thursday and Saturday, respectively.

Notes: UND attempted just one three-pointer in the first half, but buried 5-of-11 in the second half ... UND's 31 free throw makes were a season high ... North Dakota has attempted 98 free throws combined over the last three games ... UND's .912 percentage from the free-throw is the second time shooting over .900 this season in a game (.913 vs. Mayville State 12/16/14).