Omaha, NE. – The Omaha women's basketball team was unable to close a fourth quarter deficit falling to the North Dakota Fighting Hawks 74-61 Saturday afternoon at Baxter Arena. The Mavericks will return to action Thursday in South Dakota.

Leaders For Omaha
Elena Pilakouta and Mariah Murdie both led the way for the Mavericks with 17 points apiece. Pilakouta also hauled in a team-high nine boards ro go along with four assists while Murdie hauled in six boards. Alexis Pratt led the Mavericks with a team-best six assists.

Leaders for North Dakota
Four different Fighting Hawks scored in double digits including Olivia Lane who recorded a double double with 16 points and ten boards. Kacie Borowicz scored 15 points to go along with her team-high five assists. Claire Orth and Maggie Manson scored 12 and 11 points respectively.

Team Stats
Omaha shot 35.9 percent (23-64) from the field including four shots from beyond the arc. The Fighting Hawks shot 42.4 percent (25-59) from the field and drained eight threes, they also went 16-for-20 from the charity stripe.

Inside the First Quarter
The Mavericks came out hot against the Fighting Hawks after a slow start against North Dakota State Thursday. After a North Dakota bucket the Mavericks went on a 10-5 run to take control early. They would take a 13-11 lead into the break.

Inside the Second Quarter
A Kennedi Grant three would push the Omaha lead to 17-15 with 6:51 left in the quarter. North Dakota would then end the quarter on a 17-1 run including two threes from Deja Davis. They would take a 32-18 lead into the break.

Inside the Third Quarter
Pilakouta scored two buckets down low and the Mavericks slimmed down the North Dakota lead to ten 37-27 to start the second half. The Fighting Hawks responded with a 10-0 run to take a commanding 47-27 lead with 3:47 left in the quarter. Two Murdie free throws before the end of the period would make the score 52-35 North Dakota heading into the final period.

Inside the Fourth Quarter
Omaha lessened the gap in the fourth thanks to five straight from Pilakouta to start the quarter. North Dakota would later take a 66-52 lead with 1:45 left in the contest after two Lane free throws. The Mavericks would make one final push cutting the deficit to seven after a Cave three combined with a Murdie free throw after a foul on the floor. The Fighting Hawks were able to withstand the push and sink free throws down the stretch to take the 74-61 victory.

Next Up
The Mavericks will head on the road to South Dakota next taking on South Dakota Thursday at 7 p.m. followed by South Dakota State Saturday at 2 p.m.