FARGO, N.D. – The University of Denver women's basketball team fought to overtime with North Dakota State, ultimately falling 85-80 on Sunday afternoon in the Scheels Center.

The Pioneers swiped 17 steals on the day for a new program single-game record.

Senior Madison Nelson led the way with a game-high 26 points and 10 rebounds for her third straight double-double and 13th this season.

Lauren Loven moved to 10th in program history with 1,286 points in her career after scoring 13 in the loss.

Meghan Boyd added 19 points, including the final 10 points of regulation for Denver.

Nelson opened the game making her first four shots from the field with eight of Denver's first 10 points as DU took a 10-7 lead to the media timeout.
North Dakota State's Emily Dietz finished a layup with 2:48 to go in the opening quarter that ended a four-minute plus Bison scoring drought, giving Denver a 19-11 advantage after the first 10 minutes of play.

After the Pioneers went to the media timeout ahead 27-21, Nicole Scales tied the game at 31-31 for NDSU with 1:50 remaining in the first half.
The teams eventually went to the break knotted at 33-33 after the Bison closed the half shooting 7-of-9 from the field.

Both teams traded baskets for the first 4:49 of the third quarter to go into the media timeout at 39-39. Denver went on a 7-0 run over a 58 second span, forcing a North Dakota State timeout after Boyd hit a 3 with 2:13 to go in the third quarter, tying DU's largest lead of the game at eight.

Following a six-point deficit after three quarters, the Bison went 5-for-5 from the field over a 2:12 period to regain the lead at 57-56 with 6:27 to play in the contest. The Crimson and Gold went on a 13-3 run over a 3:49 period to force a NDSU timeout with 1:27 to play and DU up 69-63.

North Dakota State's Dietz forced overtime with a layup with six seconds remaining in the game and tying the game at 69-69.

The Bison took a three-point lead just 16 seconds into overtime, but Briana Johnson hit a 3 just over a minute later to tie the game at 72-72.

Rylee Nudell put NDSU back on top for good at 74-72 with 3:17 to go in overtime as the Bison held on for the win.

UP NEXT
The Pioneers cap off their three game road stretch in Tulsa, Oklahoma against Oral Roberts on Jan. 30 at 6 pm (MT).

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2020 DENVER ATHLETIC HALL OF FAME RECEPTION: Denver announced its 2020 Athletic Hall of Fame class in January. The inductees will be honored on the DU campus May 16. For more information, registration for the reception and donation information, click here. 
 
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