GRAND FORKS, N.D. – The University of North Dakota overcame its third-period jitters on Saturday night against North Dakota State, overcoming an 18-point first-half deficit to force overtime after shooting 54-percent in the second half. However, the Bison (10-2, 5-1 Summit) outlasted the Fighting Hawks (0-11, 0-5 Summit) of the Betty Engelstad Sioux Center, 71-68.

North Dakota bruised its way 42 points in the paint, scoring 36 of those in the final 25 minutes of play as Olivia Lane – who was scoreless in the opening 20 minutes – led all players with 20 points and 11 rebounds in her first double-double of the season. Juliet Gordon added 14 points and nine rebounds on the night while Megan Zander scored 10 points and Maggie Manson, who battled through a facial injury in the final period, drained three crucial three-pointers to finish with 11 points.

In the opening 20 minutes, the UND offense floundered, converting five baskets in 23 attempts to trail by 15 to NDSU at halftime, 36-21. North Dakota State's efficiency in the half resulted in a 45-percent field goal percentage and a 9-0 advantage in second-chance scoring.

With shades of her mentor and former coach Gene Roebuck in her vocal infliction and tenacity at the under-five media timeout in the second quarter, the Fighting Hawks began to hold serve with the Bison. Bernhard's speech paid its dividends in the third quarter as North Dakota outscored NDSU, 22-14, on 10-of-19 shooting.

With the hump overcome and confidence and momentum on their side, the Fighting Hawks began to make their ascension to the lead as both teams traded baskets. However, turnovers proved vital as UND outscored NDSU 12-6 off turnovers.

In the final 1:32, UND and North Dakota State exchanged two leads – a layup by Lane and a jumper by Emily Dietz - and the tying basket on Claire Orth's putback with six seconds left. Lane and Zander came up big defensively on the final play of regulation as they defended an inbounds play under the basket to force extra time.

"(The inbounds play) was something we showed film of this morning, and we talked about at length," said Interim Head Coach Mallory Bernhard of the final play of the half. "We were demonstrating exactly what we need to do, how they execute it and how we need to stop them."

When asked about Lane's play in the second half, Bernhard said, "Olivia's a kid that doesn't quit on a play. If there's a rebound or free ball to be had, she's gonna go for it so you have to appreciate that from a player."

While UND kept pace with North Dakota State in overtime and played the final 1:22 within three points of the Bison, the clock hit zero before the Hawks could equalize.

North Dakota will return to action on Friday, Jan. 22, when it heads to South Dakota State to take on the Jackrabbits in a two-game series. Both games will air on MidcoSN2, 100.3 FM The Cat in Grand Forks, and 740 AM The Fan in Fargo.