MINNEAPOLIS – The North Dakota State women’s basketball team fell short at Minnesota, 75-53, on Wednesday night at Williams Arena in front of 2,816 fans.

Heaven Hamling led the way for NDSU (1-2) logging her second career double-double with a team-high 12 points and team-best 10 rebounds with three assists. Elle Evans hit double figures for the third straight game with 11 points on 3-of-6 shooting from beyond the arc. The Edwardsville, Ill., native has now reached double figures in 17 consecutive games dating back to last season.

The Bison shot 31.6 percent (18-57) from the field and 66.7 percent (10-15) from the free throw line. NDSU also hauled in a game-high 38 rebounds with 11 different players grabbing at least one. The Bison bench contributed 15 points with all 13 players checking in for the third straight game.

Minnesota (3-0) got off to a fast start opening up a 9-0 lead after Amaya Battle connected on a jumper at the 7:04 mark of the first quarter. NDSU fought back with five straight points cutting the deficit down to four 14-10 after Abbie Draper drained a triple at the 1:34 mark. The Gophers led after the first quarter, 18-12.

Minnesota then stole the momentum in the second quarter with a 13-0 run to open up a 34-14 edge with 3:58 to play in the half following a jumper from Battle. Evans ended the scoring drought for the Bison with a triple from the corner to make the score 34-17 with 3:12 on the clock. NDSU was unable to trim the deficit over the final two quarters and went on to drop the contest, 75-53.

NDSU will be back in action at Northern Colorado on Monday. Tip-off is set for 7:00 p.m. CT