CEDAR CITY, Utah--Emily Moran tied a career-high with six three-point field goals and scored a game-high 20 points as North Dakota State exploded past Southern Utah 87-62 in a Summit League women's basketball game played Saturday, Feb. 16, in the Centrum Arena.

The Bison (9-5 Summit, 14-10) won their fifth straight game and the seventh of their last eight to move into sole possession  of third place in the league standings -- just a game behind second place Western Illinois (10-4, 12-13).

North Dakota State is scheduled to play at UMKC (2-11 Summit, 9-15) at 7 p.m. Monday, Feb. 18, in Kansas City, Mo. The Kangaroos lost to league-leading South Dakota State 74-48 on Saturday.

Moran, who hit 6 of 8 beyond the arc, helped North Dakota State sink a season-high 11 three-pointers out of 23 attempts for 47.8 percent. SUU hit only 3 of 10 three-point tries.

Four players scored in double-figures as Brenda Slyt netted 12 of her 19 points in the second half. Lisa Bue tallied 18 points and Jerri Penley finished with 12 points and nine rebounds.

North Dakota State shot 54 percent from the field during the game, the fifth time hitting over 50 percent this season. The Bison benefitted from a season-high 23 assists led by Amanda Girodat's seven handouts.

NDSU pulled away from spirited Southern Utah (4-9, 6-18) in the first half. The Bison outscored SUU 25-13 in the final 10 minutes of the opening period to take a 45-33 halftime advantage.

Southern Utah shot 58 percent from the field in first half, but finished 48.1 percent for the game.

Challis Pascucci topped the Thunderbirds with 14 points and Anne Westwood followed with 13.