vs. Kansas City (1/16)
The first men’s basketball game at the SHAC with the students back on campus for the 2025 season was this past Thursday against Kansas City for the 25th meeting between the Bison and the Roos. The Herd held a 16-8 lead in the series. It was a very intriguing matchup as Kansas City came into the season as the favorite in the preseason poll for the Summit League. The Bison came into this game coming off back-to-back wins over Oral Roberts and Denver to enter this one at 2-2 in conference play. Their two losses came to St. Thomas and Omaha, who were a combined 9-0 in conference play entering this week.
The Bison started the game on an 8-0 run thanks to a pair of threes from Noah Feddersen and Jacari White. The next nine minutes would go back and forth as both teams traded off 15 points to make it 23-15 with nine minutes remaining in the first half. For the next two minutes, there wouldn’t be a single point scored. Kansas City owned the final seven minutes of the first half as they went on a 20-11 run to make it 35-34 lead for the Roos. Three consecutive three-point baskets made to end the half gave them the momentum, and the Bison needed to adjust. The first nine minutes of the second half were back and forth as it was tied at 48 with 11 minutes remaining in the game.
A Kansas City layup would give them a two-point lead before Masen Miller splashed a three to give the herd the lead back, followed by a Jackson Moni layup to make it 53-50 Bison. A couple of minutes passed with no action until Jackson Moni got to the free throw line, where he was solid all night and made both free throws. Kansas City responded with a three to cut the lead to 55-53. Jackson Moni once again got himself to the free throw line and made both shots, followed by a Tajavis Miller jumper to make it 62-55 for the Herd’s largest lead since the beginning of the first half. Kansas City wouldn’t go down without a fight as they made a layup and two free throws due to a Jackson Moni turnover to cut it down to a three-point game once again (62-59).
Jackson Moni once again got to the free throw line and made both shots, followed by a Kansas City layup, as it would be a 64-61 Bison lead with 3:50 left. Jacari White made a layup, and Jackson Moni scored two free throws to make it 68-61. It looked like the Bison had closed the door, but Kansas City once again responded with a three. 68-64 was the score with 1:41 to go, and the Bison needed a big play. Jackson Moni showed once again why he’s one of the best players in all of college basketball this season and delivered the dagger with a dunk to send Kansas City home packing. The Bison won 71-64 for their third straight conference win to make their conference record 3-2. Jackson Moni had one of his worst three-point shooting games but still led the team with 24 points, 10 of those coming at the free throw line as he shot 100% from the line. He also led the team with 8 rebounds. Masen Miller had a great day with 12 points and shot 4-6 from three. The Bison would head to Vermillion for a huge conference game.
vs. South Dakota (1/18)
This would be a huge matchup for the Bison in conference play heading into this game at 3-2 and third in the Summit League. The Bison would take on the Coyotes of South Dakota, who were undefeated at home heading into this game. It was a back-and-forth game to start out, as the Bison led USD 34-31 through the first 15 minutes. The Bison would then go on a 20-11 run in the final five minutes to make it a 54-42 Bison lead at halftime. Jacari White put up 14 points in the first half. It was all NDSU in the second half as they outscored the Coyotes 49-35 in the 2nd half, which was plenty to win it for the Bison. Jacari White scored a career-high 32 points and was 5-7 from three. Jackson Moni also had 17 points, along with Noah Fedderson’s 16 points. 103-77 was the final, as the Bison proved once again that they could be one of the best offensive teams in the Summit League.
This team has the recipe for a dangerous team if they can find a way to make the NCAA tournament. We have seen time and time again that teams that can score a ton of points at the mid-major sometimes give the power teams trouble. But for now, Summit League play is the focus as the Bison will host rivals UND and SDSU in their next two games at the SHAC. This Saturday is the UND game, and since there will be no football on TV–or any other sports for that matter–it’ll be a great time to pack the SHAC. That game will be at 1:00 pm on Saturday, followed by the women’s game with UND at 4:00 pm.