CEDAR FALLS, Iowa--Katie Birkel hit the game-winning jumper with 46 seconds left and came up with a steal with 4 seconds remaining to lift North Dakota State to a 64-62 win over the University of Northern Iowa in a women's college basketball game played Friday, Nov. 13, before 655 fans in the McLeod Center.

North Dakota State (1-0) is scheduled to play at No. 17/25-ranked DePaul University (1-0) at 6 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 15, in McGrath Arena. The Blue Demons defeated Central Michigan 86-76 on Friday night.

Kim Wypiszynski hit a layup and free throw to put the Panthers ahead 62-61 with 1:12 remaining. Wypiszynski dropped in a game-high 21 points and hit 8 of 10 from the field for UNI.

Birkel hit a jumper with 46 seconds left to put the Bison ahead 63-62. UNI missed two shots over the game's final 20 seconds. Birkel scored eight of her 10 points in the final half.

The Panthers' final threat was snuffed out when Birkel stole an inbounds pass with 4 seconds remaining.

The game was tight throughout. UNI's biggest lead was six points in the first half, North Dakota State's was five points early in the second half. The game was tied 13 times and the lead changed hands on 13 occasions. The Panthers led 32-29 at halftime.

Abby Plucker scored 11 of her team-high 20 points in the second half. It was Plucker's first action in 11 months following a shoulder injury. She hit 8 of 13 from the field including 2 of 3 from the three-point line. Ashley Samuelson netted 15 points and pulled down seven rebounds, while 6-5 freshman Janae Burich dropped in 11 points off the bench.

North Dakota State hit 46 percent from the field including 58.3 percent in the second half. The Bison held a 34-30 rebounding edge.

Jacqui Kalin scored 18 points, while Nicole Clausen added 13 for UNI. The Panthers hit 42.9 percent from the field and 7 of 7 from the foul line.