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Free throws were a large part of the story on Friday night as North Dakota hit 11-of-13 in the fourth quarter to hold Eastern Illinois, 66-63, in the season opener for both teams at the Betty Engelstad Sioux Center in Grand Forks, ND.
With the game tied at the half, North Dakota took a five-point lead into the fourth quarter leading 49-44.
The Panthers took a late lead with
Macy McGlone knocking down a jumper with 3:05 remaining to put EIU up 59-58. Last year's OVC Player of the Year, who ranked second in the NCAA in double-doubles, picked up where she left off last season with 24 points and 13 rebounds.
Walker Demers answered for UND with a three-point play putting the Fighting Hawks up 61-59 with 2:43 left in the contest. Demers finished with 16 points, one of three UND players in double figures.
The made free throw to finish off the three point play was part of a stretch over the final three minutes where UND made six of seven at the charity stripe to hang on for the win.Â
EIU tied the game one final time at 63-63 with 35-seconds left as
Ella Lune picked up a steal and converted a lay-up.Â
The Panthers fouled on the next possession with Demers stepping to the line to knock down two free throws with nine seconds remaining. EIU missed a final look with two seconds left in the game with UND making 1-of-2 at the free throw line with one second left to ice the game. UND was 24-of-33 from the free line for the night including 11-of-13 in the fourth quarter.
Lalani Ellis joined McGlone in double figures with 12 points while
Adriana Arroyo added nine points. Arroyo knocked down three of the Panthers four 3-pointers in the game as EIU shot 4-of-17 from behind the arc.
Kiera Pemberton led UND with 21 points with Jocelyn Schiller scoring 12.