UND Falls to North Dakota State 95-70 in Regular Season Finale

The University of North Dakota (UND) suffered a decisive 95-70 loss to North Dakota State University (NDSU) on March 4, 2024, at the Scheels Center. This defeat marked the end of the regular season for the Fighting Hawks, who now shift their focus to the upcoming Summit League tournament. Despite the loss, several noteworthy performances stood out during the game.

Mackenzie Hughes Reaches 2,000 Career Points

Graduate guard Mackenzie Hughes celebrated a significant milestone by scoring her 2,000th career point during the match. Hughes achieved this feat by making a layup over NDSU’s junior forward Avery Koenen, followed by a successful free throw with just two seconds left in the second quarter. “I’m glad to get it over,” Hughes remarked. “I knew going in that I was eight points away, so I’m kind of glad that pressure is gone.” Throughout her career, Hughes accumulated 1,647 points at Mayville State before transferring to UND, where she has contributed 368 points. She led the Hawks with 23 points against NDSU, bringing her total to 2,015.

Upcoming Tournament Challenges

The loss secured the No. 9 seed for UND in the Summit League tournament, where they will face off against eighth-seeded Omaha on March 8, 2024, at 16:30. Hughes expressed excitement about the tournament, stating, “I’m super excited, it’s a great opportunity. It’s obviously my first Summit tournament, and I’ve heard great stories.” The Hawks have had a mixed record against the Mavericks this season, winning 75-54 at home and losing 58-54 away.

Head coach Dennis Hutter emphasized the importance of the upcoming games, saying, “Any opportunity we get to play is an opportunity I’m excited about. I think the program is taking strides this year, and I’m not ready to be done.” He hopes the team can make a strong impact in the tournament.

Emerging Players Shine

Sophomore guard Mataeya Mathern has been a vital addition to the lineup, making her second start of the season against NDSU. Mathern contributed seven points while playing 27 minutes, showing her increasing importance to the team. “Rebound, grit, toughness, effort, attitude,” Hutter noted, highlighting Mathern’s contributions. Her average minutes have significantly increased from 7.2 minutes per game earlier in the season to consistently over 17 minutes in recent outings.

Improved Ball Control

One of the positives for UND was their ball control during the game. Entering the matchup with an average of 20 turnovers per game, the Hawks managed to record only nine turnovers against NDSU, compared to the Bison’s six. The Hawks had just three turnovers in the first half, maintaining competitiveness against one of the league’s top teams. “We were taking care of the ball,” Hutter explained. “We were making shots, six threes, that helps.” Despite the loss, this improvement in ball control offered a glimpse of potential for the postseason.

Sydney Piekny Continues to Excel

Sophomore guard Sydney Piekny continued her strong shooting performance, hitting three 3-pointers during the game. She finished with 10 points, contributing significantly alongside Hughes. Piekny has been consistent, making at least two 3-pointers in nine of her last ten games, with six instances of hitting three or more.

While the loss to NDSU was disappointing for the Fighting Hawks, the team has shown resilience and growth throughout the season. As they prepare for the Summit League tournament, the focus will be on leveraging their strengths and building on recent performances.