Win at USD in OT, drop squeaker at SDSU
The North Dakota State men’s basketball split the two games on their road trip last week, beating South Dakota and losing to South Dakota State.
The Bison beat South Dakota on Thursday, winning 74-62 in overtime. They were able to outscore the Coyotes 14-2 in the overtime period to seal the win, ending South Dakota’s five-game winning streak.
The game went to overtime tied 60-60 after USD’s Tasos Kamateros’s game-winning shot was waved off at the buzzer.
Fans in attendance were given a good game, as neither team had a lead larger than seven points until NDSU’s 12-0 run in OT. The game also featured 13 ties and eight lead changes.
Sam Griesel led the way for the Herd, collecting a double-double, scoring 20 points and grabbing 11 rebounds. Tyree Eady and Grant Nelson joined him in double figures, as Eady had 17 points while Nelson scored 10 points off the bench.
The Bison defense was terrific, holding the Coyotes to 34.9% shooting from the floor and 26.7% from three.
NDSU’s head coach David Richman earned a milestone on Thursday night as well, collecting his 150th career win.
On Saturday, the Bison lost to South Dakota State in a close battle, falling 80-76. The Herd was able to make it a one-point game with just over a minute left to play but fell short of the upset victory.
NDSU found themselves down 71-70 with 1:17 left before the Jackrabbits scored eight straight points, six of which came from the free-throw line. Meanwhile, the Bison had three straight scoreless trips on the offensive end.
Rocky Kreuser led the Bison in scoring, putting up 25 points and snagging eight rebounds. Additionally, Eady and Boden Skunberg scored in double figures, with Eady scoring 13 and Skunberg scoring 12.
The Bison defense did a terrific job on the nation’s top three-point shooting team, holding them to just one made three. The free-throw line, however, gave SDSU the edge, as they made 21 of their 23 free-throw attempts.
After the road trip, NDSU’s record is now 14-8 on the season and 6-4 in conference play. They also remain in third place in the Summit League standings.
Up next, the Bison will return home for a three-game homestand, kicking off on Thursday against Omaha.