No. 10/6 Arizona Edges North Dakota State, 59-47

TUCSON, Ariz. – Heaven Hamling netted 14 points when No. 10/6 Arizona ousted North Dakota State, 59-47, Thursday night at the McKale Center.

Hamling set the team’s record with 14 points on the field in a 5/12 shootout and four attempts to record the season with three three points in nine attempts. It was his fourth consecutive double-digit score and seventh of the season. Emily Dietz, who started his career for the 90th time, grabbed a record seven rebounds and scored six points. Ryan Cobbins broke the game record with five passes and added six rebounds and four points to his stats.

NDSU (3-5) held the ball, with a clear 35 percent of possession (17-48). The score was now nine minutes. Bison also grabbed 35 rebounds and the bench added 19 points.

When Arizona (8-0) sprinted in the opening quarter of the 9-2 difference, NDSU joined in consecutive jumps to cut the deficit to three, 9-6. Arizona pushed back and ended the quarter with six unanswered points and added a lead of 15-6.

NDSU battled back in the second quarter, retreating within three after a 19-16 triple reading. Katie Hildebrandt half time 5:38. The Wildcats responded once again, increasing their lead to 10, 31-21, with a break after Shaina Pellington dropped the jumper after time runs out. Reneya Hopkins and Olivia Skibiel accelerated Bison’s break by five points.

After Hamling knocked out a triple to open the second half, Arizona quickly raised to 14, 40-26, 4:16. Arizona won the NDSU in the third quarter 16-12 and led 47-33 after three quarters.

NDSU made the final rise at the beginning of the fourth quarter with nine unanswered points, five from Hamling. The run pulled Bison back within five, 47-42 after a few free throws from Hopkins after 6:46. The Wildcats responded immediately and increased their lead to 14, 59-45, 1:06. Arizona took the rest of the way against NDSU to grab the win, 59-47.

Bison will continue to swing on Sunday in Wyoming (3-4). The hint is set at 14:00 CT