WBB: Bison stumble in Summit opener Saturday but bounce back on Sunday
MACOMB, Ill. (GoBison.com) — Western Illinois scored 29 points in the first quarter en route to a 77-65 win over the North Dakota State women’s basketball team Saturday afternoon in the Summit League opener for both schools.
Reneya Hopkins led the Bison with a career-high 15 points, while Abby Schulte joined her in double figures with 11 points. Ryan Cobbins added eight points. Evan Zars led the Leathernecks with a game-high 16 points. Kadie Deaton and Emily Behnke each had six rebounds, a season-high for both. Deaton also had a season-high two assists, while Marie Olson had two blocked shots. Heaven Hamling, Deaton, Britney Epperson and Kylie Strop each had two steals.
On Sunday, the North Dakota State women’s basketball team used a 21-8 run in the first quarter and never looked back, as the Bison picked up a 93-60 win over Western Illinois to earn a season split with the Leathernecks.
Emily Dietz finished with a game-high 15 points and 14 rebounds, recording her ninth career double-double. It was the 25th time in her career she has led the Bison in rebounding. Dietz also added a season-high four assists. Kylie Strop had a career-high 11 points, while Reneya Hopkins, Kadie Deaton, Ryan Cobbins and Michelle Gaislerova each had 10 point. Gaislerova was 2-for-4 from 3-point range, moving into a tie for second in school history with 192 in her career. Strop had a career-high three steals, while Abby Schulte added a pair. Grace Gilmore led the Leathernecks with 15 points.
The victory on Sunday was the first in Western Hall since 2014 for the Bison, snapping a skid of seven games that included a 77-65 Leatherneck victory on Saturday. The Bison improved to 6-2 overall and 1-1 in Summit League play, while Western Illinois dropped to 2-8 overall and 1-1 in league play. The Bison are scheduled to face Omaha on Friday night at the Scheels Center. Tipoff is set for 5 p.m. in the first game of a doubleheader with the men. The Mavericks are 1-4 and have had their last three games either canceled or postponed due to Covid-19.
