The outcome -- a UND 97-55 win over Division III Minnesota-Morris -- was expected. But UND’s win Saturday at The Betty also leveled the Fighting Hawks’ record at 4-4 -- an accomplishment for the women’s basketball program considering where it was a year ago during its 2-19 campaign.
And the game also served as an indication of what may be possible now that UND has a full and healthy lineup.
Olivia Lane, who missed the first three games of the season, dominated inside, scoring 22 points on 8-of-12 shooting. All 12 UND players found the score sheet as Kacie Borowicz added 16 more points along with 10 assists.
It was UND’s third-straight win and the Hawks were about three minutes away from making it four in a row as they let a game against Bucknell slip away down the stretch last week.
“Every game, we’ve gotten a little bit better at something so that’s exciting,” said Lane.”We don’t even think about last year. We have a clean slate and we just have to look forward to working hard each game and to come out and get a little better in each game.”
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Now, UND will have a week to prepare for its next game -- at Marquette. Marquette beat UND 90-82 in the 2020-21 opener.
“We feel like we’re starting to get things going,” said UND coach Mallory Bernhard. “Having a full roster really helps. And we really had a good week of practice.”
UND has three more games until it begins Summit League play Dec. 22 against North Dakota State at home.
Despite last season, UND will enter Summit play with some confidence.
“Now, we can go back and look at our last four games and clean up some things,” said Barnhard. “But we have another great opportunity ahead of us in Marquette.”
UND shot 45 percent and got the chance to work on some things that may prove beneficial as it hits the heart of its schedule.
UND’s recent surge has provided a needed spark for the Hawks considering they started the season short-handed on the road..
“Getting these wins lately is telling us we know how to win right now and we’ll just work toward the next game and get better,” said Lane.
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Following its trip to Marquette, the Hawks will play Mayville State at home Dec. 15 before hitting the road to play Detroit Mercy on Dec. 18.
Minnesota-Morris was led by Lexus Eagle Chasing’s 14 points. The Cougars also had a local player on the floor, former Grand Forks Red River standout Jadyn Sondrol. She started and finished with five points.
