A Bold Comeback Seals OT Win: NDSU Tops Pepperdine 82-80
MALIBU, Calif. – The North Dakota State women’s basketball team found themselves trailing by as many as six points late in the fourth quarter, yet they orchestrated a remarkable rally to topple Pepperdine 82-80 in overtime at the Malibu Classic’s Firestone Fieldhouse on Tuesday.
The victory extends NDSU’s winning streak to seven and improves their season record to 9-2, marking the best 11-game start since the 2020-21 season. Pepperdine falls to 7-3.
Avery Koenen delivered a standout performance, posting her fifth straight double-double with a season-best 29 points and a game-high 12 rebounds. The Montevideo, Minnesota product also went 13-for-16 at the free-throw line, added two assists and two steals over 38 minutes. Her 13 made free throws tie the sixth-most in a single game in Bison folklore.
Jocelyn Schiller added a season-high 15 points on an efficient 6-for-7 at the stripe and handed out three assists—the team’s best. Marisa Frost contributed 14 points in a career-high 42 minutes of action.
Collectively, NDSU shot 38.8 percent from the field (26-of-67) and knocked down 26 of 34 free throws for 76.5 percent. The Bison also dominated the paint, scoring 42 points, and caused 20 turnovers that led to 20 points for their side.
The Bison built a nine-point cushion at the break, 37-28, but Pepperdine surged to start the third quarter with a 15-4 run to seize a 43-41 lead after Meghan Fiso’s jumper at 5:25. The teams exchanged blows through the fourth period until NDSU closed regulation on an 8-2 burst over the final 3:42, punctuated by a Molly Lenz free throw to force overtime at 70-70.
In the extra period, NDSU seized control with a 7-2 run, powered by five points from Schiller, and opened a 77-72 lead with 3:01 remaining. Pepperdine tried to mount a comeback, pulling within two on Elli Guiney’s layup with five seconds left, but the Bison finished strong to secure the 82-80 win.
Next up, NDSU faces UTRGV to wrap up the Malibu Classic, with tip-off scheduled for 4:00 p.m. CT.
