GRAND FORKS, N.D. - Despite 17 points from reserve forward Natalie Carda, the 18th-ranked South Dakota Women's Basketball Team (18-6, 4-5 NCC) dropped a 69-60 decision to sixth-ranked North Dakota (25-3, 8-2 NCC) in North Central Conference action on Thursday before 2,401 in attendance at the Betty Engelstad Center in Grand Forks, N.D.

South Dakota dropped its second straight NCC game after falling to St. Cloud State, 72-71, on Saturday night at the DakotaDome. With the loss, USD fell into a tie for fourth place in the NCC with Minnesota-Duluth. UND grabbed sole possession of first place by virtue of Augustana's 62-60 loss to Minnesota State on Thursday at the Sioux Falls Arena.

UND won its seventh straight contest against South Dakota and swept the season series from the Coyotes. UND won an 81-79 overtime decision at the DakotaDome on Jan. 13.

Carda, a sophomore from Beresford, S.D., hit 4-of-7 shots from the field, including 3-of-5 from three point range for 17 points. She also made 6-of-12 free throws, grabbed three rebounds and had a blocked shot in 23 minutes of work. Jenna Hoffman, a junior from Mitchell, S.D., added 13 points, four rebounds and a blocked shot. Point guard Shannon Daly, a junior from Groton, S.D., also reached double figures with 10 points while also grabbing five boards.

UND was led by senior guard Carissa Jahner who had career highs with 25 points and 10 rebounds. She hit 9-of-12 field goals, including 3-of-4 shots from three-point range. Kierah Kimbrough and Ashley Langen had 10 points and eight rebounds and 11 points and eight rebounds, respectfully for UND.

USD struggled from the field, connecting on just 32.7 percent on 16-of-49 shooting. The Coyotes hit 8-of-28 for 28.6 percent from three-point range and made 20-of-28 free throws for 71.4 percent. UND had more success from the field than USD as they made 27-of-62 field goals for 43.5 percent. In addition, they were 6-of-16 from three-point range and 9-of-13 from the free throw line. As was the case in the earlier game at the DakotaDome, UND controlled the boards by staking a 47-29 advantage.

North Dakota opened up a 9-4 advantage at the 13:28 mark on a jumper by Ayls Seay. The Coyotes drew within 13-9 when Ashley Robinette (South Sioux City, Neb.) converted a three-point play at the 9:42 mark of the half. However, Kelsey Maffin of UND answered with a three-point basket to build the lead to 16-9 at the 7:50 mark of the first half. USD fought back with a 7-0 run to tie the game at 16-16 with 3:56 left in the half after Daly scored on a lay-up. The Coyotes stayed even when Jeana Hoffman (Mitchell, S.D.) hit a three-point basket with 1:45 to play and knotted the score at 21-21. UND scored the final six points of the half as Jahner knocked down consecutive three-point baskets in the final minute. Jahner's second three-pointer with three seconds left before the break provided UND with a 27-21 lead.

UND built the lead to 35-26 with 16:41 left in the game after Jahner hit a jumper. After UND's Kayla Bagaason hit a pair of free throws, Carda connected on a three-point basket to cut the lead to 37-32 at the 14:33 mark of the second half. UND reclaimed a nine-point lead (41-32) at the 13:17 mark on a jumper by Langen.

The Coyotes would not go away and responded with an 8-2 run to draw within 43-40 at the 10:22 mark when Daly hit a pair of free throws.

After UND's Kimbrough scored inside, Jasmine Mosley (Bellevue, Neb.) hit a jumper to keep the Coyotes with three at 45-42 with 9:13 to play. Then, Carda cut UND's lead to 47-46 by hitting a pair of free throws at the 8:11 mark. The Coyotes continued its rally and took its only lead of the game at the 7:31 mark when Carda hit a three-point basket for a 49-47 lead.

Over the next four minutes, UND used a 14-2 run to grab a 61-51 lead after Jossy Bergan hit a jumper at the 3:38 mark of the second half. The Coyotes made one final charge as Carda hit a three-point basket with 1:49 to play to cut UND's lead to 62-59. With 1:12 to play, Carda made one of two free throws to keep the deficit at 64-60. Then, Bagaason hit a three-pointer with 42 seconds left to ice the game and provide UND with a 67-60 advantage.

Next for South Dakota is a home NCC game with Minnesota-Duluth (13-10, 4-5 NCC) at 2 p.m. on Saturday at the DakotaDome.