GRAND FORKS, N.D. (Interstat) — Overcoming a slow start and a dominant individual performance from North Dakota’s Walker Demers, the Youngstown State women’s basketball team used a decisive third-quarter surge to secure a 65-58 victory over the Fighting Hawks on Friday night at a sparsely attended Engelstad Arena.

A crowd of 1,497 watched the Penguins improve to 2-0 on the young season, while North Dakota fell to 0-2.

The game was a tale of two halves, with North Dakota controlling the early action. The Fighting Hawks led 18-15 after the first quarter and extended their advantage to 32-25 by halftime. Youngstown State’s offense struggled mightily in the first half, scoring only 10 points in the second period.

The momentum shifted dramatically after the break. The Penguins exploded for 24 points in the third quarter, erasing the deficit and building a lead they would not relinquish. The comeback was fueled by a more efficient offense and a disruptive defense that forced North Dakota into 17 total turnovers, which Youngstown State converted into 23 points.

Despite the loss, North Dakota’s Walker Demers, a 6-foot-1 forward from Grafton, North Dakota, was a force, finishing with 15 points and two blocks. Teammate Mikayla Aumer added 13 points.

Youngstown State’s effort was more balanced. Casey Santoro, a 5-foot-4 guard from Bellevue, Ohio, directed the offense with 13 points and five assists in 36 minutes. The Penguins found a major spark off the bench from Sarah Baker, a 6-foot-2 forward from Florence, Kentucky, who poured in a team-high 16 points in just 14 minutes of action. Paulina Hernandez also provided a significant contribution with 11 points and three blocks.

Defense and ball security proved to be the difference. Youngstown State recorded eight steals and dished out eight assists, while North Dakota managed only three in each category. The Fighting Hawks also struggled from beyond the arc, hitting just 8 of 35 three-point attempts.

The game defied pregame projections from Interstat, whose ELO system had given North Dakota a 71.2 percent probability to win.

Youngstown State looks to continue its unbeaten start when it travels to face Michigan State on Wednesday. North Dakota will seek its first win on the road at Green Bay on Tuesday.