Fighting Hawks Fall to Bison 95-70 in Summit League Rivalry

FARGO — The University of North Dakota (UND) suffered a disappointing 95-70 defeat to North Dakota State University (NDSU) on March 6, 2024, at the Scheels Center. This loss capped off the regular season for the Fighting Hawks, who must now shift their focus to the upcoming Summit League tournament. Despite the setback, several notable performances emerged during the game.

Historic Milestone for Mackenzie Hughes

Graduate guard Mackenzie Hughes achieved a significant career milestone, scoring her 2,000th career point against the Bison. Hughes reached this landmark after hitting a layup against NDSU star junior forward Avery Koenen with just two seconds remaining in the second quarter. She converted the subsequent free throw, bringing her total to 2,015 points.

“I’m glad to get it over,” Hughes said. “I knew going in that I was eight points away, so I’m kind of glad that pressure is gone. I don’t have to worry about it now. Obviously, it’s a great accomplishment. I wouldn’t be able to do it without my teammates, my coaches.” Throughout her career, Hughes has been a consistent scorer, accumulating 1,647 points during her four seasons at Mayville State before joining UND.

Playoff Preparation Begins

With the loss to NDSU, the Fighting Hawks secured the No. 9 seed in the Summit League tournament. They are set to face eighth-seeded Omaha in the opening round on March 8 at 16:30. Hughes expressed her enthusiasm for the upcoming tournament, saying, “I’m super excited, it’s a great opportunity. It’s obviously my first Summit tournament, and I’ve heard great stories. I’m just excited to experience it.”

The Hawks have faced Omaha twice this season, winning one match convincingly at home and narrowly losing the other on the road. Head coach Dennis Hutter emphasized the importance of the opportunity, stating, “Any opportunity we get to play is an opportunity I’m excited about. I think the program is taking strides this year, and I’m not ready to be done, so I’m hoping we can make a little noise while we’re down there.”

Emerging Talent: Mataeya Mathern

Sophomore guard Mataeya Mathern made her second start of the season against NDSU, contributing significantly to the team’s efforts. Mathern scored seven points and played 27 minutes, showcasing her growing importance to the squad. Previously averaging just 7.2 minutes per game, her recent performances have garnered attention.

“Rebound, grit, toughness, effort, attitude. I mean, all that stuff, she just does all that,” Hutter remarked about Mathern’s contributions. “She’s the ultimate team player. She cares about the team so much.”

Improved Ball Control

Entering the game, UND struggled with an average of 20 turnovers per game. However, they finished with just nine turnovers against the Bison, a marked improvement. The Hawks entered halftime trailing by only one point, thanks in part to their disciplined ball handling and effective shooting, including 6 three-pointers in the first half.

“We were taking care of the ball,” Hutter noted. “We were making shots, six threes, that helps. Probably didn’t defend as well as we’d like — we fouled too much, we could have easily been up by four or six at that point. But defended well enough to be in the game.”

Sydney Piekny Continues to Shine

Sophomore guard Sydney Piekny maintained her impressive form, hitting three three-pointers against NDSU, finishing the game with 10 points. Piekny has consistently been a scoring threat, having made at least two three-pointers in nine of her last ten games.

As the Fighting Hawks prepare for the tournament, they will look to build on the lessons learned from their rivalry match against the Bison. With key players like Hughes, Mathern, and Piekny stepping up, the team remains optimistic about making a deep run in the postseason.