Fatima Ibrahim delivers key plays as UND beats Denver 73-68

DENVER — With UND starting center Walker Demers missing a second-straight game, backup Fatima Ibrahim is making the most of her increased opportunities.

Ibrahim scored two key baskets in the game’s final 74 seconds as UND beat Denver 73-68 on Saturday in Hamilton Gymnasium.

Ibrahim notched her second career double-double with 15 points and 14 rebounds. The Summit League’s blocks leader had three more blocks.

Her first big basket late came with 1:14 remaining when she snagged a Jocelyn Schiller miss and put it back for a 67-62 advantage.

Then with UND clinging to a two-point lead following three Angelina Robles free throws for Denver, Ibrahim grabbed another offensive rebound and put back a Kiera Pemberton miss for a 69-65 advantage with 20 seconds left.

UND would then ice the game at the foul line.

Pemberton finished with 21 points on 10-for-15 shooting. She added seven rebounds and three steals.

Schiller scored 12 points, with seven rebounds and two steals.

Nevaeh Ferrara Horne added 10 points.

Denver led by as many as eight in the third quarter.

The Pioneers were led by Robles with 21 points, while Jordan Jones had 15 points on 6-for-19 shooting.

UND improved to 5-9 in the league and sit in sixth place in the Summit League standings. Denver is at the bottom of the league race, dropping to 1-13 in Summit play.

The Hawks have two regular-season games remaining. UND hosts Omaha on Thursday and Kansas City on Saturday afternoon.

Staff reports and local scoreboards from the Grand Forks Herald Sports desk.