BOZEMAN, Mont.-- Host Montana State improved to 5-0 all-time against the University of North Dakota at home in an 80-62 Big Sky Conference women's basketball win Saturday afternoon at Brick Breeden Fieldhouse. MSU used a 10-0 spurt in the opening minutes to take the leads and never looked back.

"Montana State played well today," UND head coach Travis Brewster said. "They took us out of our game and it goes to show you toughness is key for success in this conference, on the road or at home. I said at the beginning of the season we were going to have to be tough to have success, especially from the perimeter, both offensively and defensively."

North Dakota (16-9, 8-5 Big Sky) scored the first three points of the game and had a 5-2 advantage at one point but went over eight minutes with a field goal, hitting just one of its first 12 shots from the floor. Meanwhile, MSU (11-13, 5-8) ripped-off a 14-2 run before Siri Burck ended the stretch with a three to put the deficit back to a half-dozen. That's where the Bobcat lead rested at the break with a 29-23 halftime score with UND making only six shots in the opening period for 21 percent from the field.

After the break, the Bobcats were able to muster another run, an 11-2 spurt out of the gate to push the lead back into double figures. Burck's drive and score again ended the stretch but North Dakota trailed 40-27 five minutes into the half.

That deficit would reach 19 with 12:30 left before Emily Evers and Makailah Dyer scored on back-to-back trips to force a timeout. Kelsey Knox's three made it an 11-point gamebut each time UND got close to chipping it down to a single-figure game, MSU responded with leading-scorer Jasmine Hommes, who scored a game-high 25 points.

With the MSU advantage at 20, things got interesting with the bench in the game. Bailey Strand banked in a three and added another triple from the top of the key on the next possession to make it a 14-point game. MSU made its free throws down the stretch to keep the margin out of reach, sinking eight of its final 10 attempts to win, 80-62 and keep its postseason hopes alive.  

Evers led the North Dakota effort with 17 points, eight rebounds, two blocks and a steal. Strand added three late triples en route to 11 points in 12 minutes of work. Mia Loyd was saddled with foul trouble throughout most of the game and finished with five points and five rebounds in 22 minutes of action.

Hommes' 25 points led all scorers, part of four Bobcat players in double figures. Kalli Durham added 14 while Jackie Elliott and Peyton Ferris each chipped in 10.

North Dakota will host Portland State Thursday evening at the Betty Engelstad Sioux Center.

Notes: Strand's three triples tied a career best and were her first makes from deep since Jan. 8 at Sacramento State ... MSU Is the first team to out-rebound North Dakota by 10 since last season's NCAA Tournament game at Texas A&M (13).