In a heart-pounding overtime thriller that kept everyone glued to their seats, the North Dakota State women's basketball team staged an incredible comeback to edge out Pepperdine 82-80 at the Malibu Classic! If you're a fan of edge-of-your-seat action, this game had it all—from fourth-quarter deficits to clutch free throws that decided everything.
Held at Firestone Fieldhouse in Malibu, California, on a sunny Tuesday afternoon, the Bison found themselves down by up to six points late in the fourth quarter. But they didn't back down, mounting a fierce rally to force overtime and ultimately secure the victory. This hard-fought win boosts NDSU's impressive streak to seven games straight, pushing their overall record to a strong 9-2. For context, that's the best opening stretch through 11 games for the team since the 2020-21 season—a sign they're building serious momentum early on. On the flip side, Pepperdine slips to 7-3 with this narrow defeat, which might sting a bit for a team that started so solidly.
Leading the charge was Avery Koenen (https://gobison.com/sports/womens-basketball/roster/avery-koenen/24073), who notched her fifth consecutive double-double—and for those new to basketball lingo, a double-double means reaching double digits in two key stats like points and rebounds. She exploded for a personal-best 29 points and grabbed a game-high 12 boards, all while playing a whopping 38 minutes. The star from Montevideo, Minnesota, was money at the line, sinking 13 out of 16 free throws—a career high that's tied for sixth all-time in Bison single-game history. She even chipped in two assists and two steals, showing her all-around game. Imagine the pressure of those free throws in overtime; that's the kind of performance that can swing a season.
Jocelyn Schiller (https://gobison.com/sports/womens-basketball/roster/jocelyn-schiller/24079) stepped up big time too, dropping a season-high 15 points, including a near-perfect 6-of-7 from the free-throw stripe. She also dished out a team-leading three assists, helping her teammates find open looks. Not to be outdone, Marisa Frost (https://gobison.com/sports/womens-basketball/roster/marisa-frost/24070) tallied 14 points in a career-best 42 minutes on the court, proving her endurance and scoring touch when it mattered most. And this is the part most people miss: these contributions from the supporting cast often make the difference in tight games like this.
As a unit, the Bison shot a respectable 38.8% from the field (making 26 of 67 attempts) and were even sharper at the foul line with 76.5% accuracy (26 of 34). They dominated inside, racking up 42 points in the paint—what that means for beginners is scoring close to the basket, like layups and post moves—and added another 20 points from Pepperdine's 15 turnovers, turning defensive stops into easy offense. But here's where it gets controversial: some might argue Pepperdine's comeback in the second half exposed weaknesses in NDSU's defense, or was it just a testament to the Bison's resilience? What do you think—does this win highlight their grit, or is there room for concern?
The game started strong for NDSU, as they built a comfortable nine-point halftime lead at 37-28. But Pepperdine flipped the script right away in the third quarter, unleashing a blistering 15-4 run to snag a 43-41 advantage after Meghan Fiso drained a jumper with 5:25 left in the period. The fourth quarter turned into a back-and-forth battle, with both teams exchanging blows. Then, in the closing 3:42, the Bison clamped down, going on an 8-2 spurt that ended with a clutch free throw from Molly Lenz (https://gobison.com/sports/womens-basketball/roster/molly-lenz/24075), tying things at 70-70 and sending fans into overtime frenzy.
Carrying that fire into the extra period, NDSU jumped out with a quick 7-2 run, powered by five points from Schiller, to grab a 77-72 lead with just over three minutes remaining. Pepperdine mounted one last push, getting within two points on a layup by Elli Guiney with only five seconds on the clock. But the Bison held firm, running out the time to claim the 82-80 triumph. Talk about a finish that could fuel debates—did NDSU get a bit lucky there, or was it pure execution under pressure?
Looking ahead, the Bison return to the court tomorrow to close out the Malibu Classic against UTRGV, with tip-off scheduled for 4:00 p.m. CT. If this game is any indication, expect more excitement. So, what’s your take on NDSU's hot start? Can they sustain this win streak through conference play, or will tougher opponents expose any cracks? Drop your thoughts in the comments below—I'd love to hear if you're Team Bison all the way or if Pepperdine's fight has you rooting for an upset next time!
