FAIRBANKS, Alaska — Ana Burch scored 11 points and the Warriors shot over 40 percent for the first time this season as Stanislaus State defeated Metro State during the Mt. McKinley Bank North Star Invitational at the University of Alaska.

The Warriors again out-scored their opponents in the fourth quarter to come out on top to improve to 2-3 on the season. Metro State is 3-2.

Burch also had six rebounds and four assists, as well as two steals — all team highs for the game. Leticia Infante chipped in 10 points.

The game was tight for the most part, with either team leading by more than six points at any given time. There were five ties and six lead changes. 

Trailing by five points with 5:12 to play in the fourth, Lizzy Alexander's three-pointer cut the deficit to two points. Seconds later Burch made a steal and converted on a layup to tie the game for the fifth and final time. A pair of Alexander free throws gave Stan State its final lead.

Then, Caprina Pipion scored a jumper and made two free throws in the final 23 seconds of the game  as the Warriors held on for the victory.

The Warriors shot 41.4 percent for the game — the best average for the season. The previous was best at 38.7 percent in the win over Academy of Art. The Warriors still struggled mildly from long distance, going 2 for 10 form the arch against the Roadrunners. They are now just 20 for 91 this season (22 percent).

Stanislaus out-rebounded Metro State 36-27. The Warriors were led by Burch and Riley Holladay each pulled six boards. Holladay also had three assists and two steals to go with seven points.

The balanced team scoring was also contributed by Pipion, who finished with nine points, and Erika Larsen chipped in eight.

Jaelynn Smith (15 points) and Emily Hartegan (14) contributed to most of Metro's scoring. Hartegan also had eight rebounds.

The Warriors will take on host Alaska on Friday, at 3 p.m. AST.