MACOMB, Ill.--Western Illinois scored the first 15 points of the second half but had to hold off a late rally as the Westerwinds defeated North Dakota State 72-67 in a Summit League women's basketball game played Saturday, Jan. 12, at Waste Management Court.

NDSU (2-3 Summit, 7-8) is scheduled to play IUPUI (1-3 Summit, 5-11) at 6 p.m. (Central) Monday, Jan. 14., at The Jungle in Indianapolis. IUPUI lost to South Dakota State 56-46 on Saturday.

North Dakota State led 33-32 at halftime, but trailed by double-digits for most of the second half as the Western Illinois (4-0, 6-9) scored the first 15 points of the second half.

The Westerwinds, who are the lone undefeated team in the Summit League standings, hit 59.1 percent from the field in the second half and 51.9 percent overall. NDSU shot 37.7 percent from the field.

Amanda Walker connected on back-to-back three-pointers to open the second half. Sarah Miller's mid-range jumper with 16:16 remaining put the Westerwinds up 47-33. It would be WIU's biggest lead of the game.

To compound matters, the Bison went scoreless for the first five minutes until Brenda Slyt nailed a three-pointer.

Sophomore Inger Hodgson, freshman Whitney Trecker and Slyt would lead a spirited comeback in the game's final four minutes.

Gina Hugelier's three-pointer put Western Illinois ahead 62-51 with 4:10 left.

Slyt turned in a traditional three-point play on a layup and free throw, and then made a long range shot. Hodgson made one of her three career-high treys to cut the deficit to 63-60 with 1:51 remaining.

Slyt scored 12 of her 13 points in the second half, while Hodgson matched her with a career-high 13 points. Hodgson's trio of three-pointers made, three steals and six rebounds were career bests. NDSU outrebounded WIU 37-34 as Lisa Bue snared a team-high seven to go along with 10 points.

The Bison couldn't come any closer than three-points the remainder of the contest. Western Illinois made 9 of 10 free throws in the game's final 42 seconds as Walker hit 5 of 6 attempts.

Stephanie Lovingood scored 16 of her game-high 20 points in the first half. Walker finished with 13 points for Western Illinois, while Jordon O'Brien and Miller each added 10 points.