GRAND FORKS, N.D. -- Emmanuel Little only made one basket for the Fighting Sioux tonight, but he made it a good one.
Little, who battled with injuries all night, scored the go-ahead jumper as UND beat Western Oregon 60-58 in the championship game of the UND Thanksgiving Tournament. The win improves UND to 2-3 on the season.
After a timeout, WUO's Sam Kelly missed a lay-up and Little grabbed the rebound with 13 seconds remaining. The Sioux moved the ball up the court, and Little drove to the hoop and sank a jumper with four seconds remaining.
In a game that was very similar to one the two teams played last year in Oregon, UND led most of the game. However, the Wolves found a way back into it late in the game.
After Ben Lehnertz's free throws free throws gave UND a 56-48 lead with 7:31, the Wolves began their comeback as UND would score only two more field goals the rest of the way.
The Wolves tied it at 58-58 on a Liam Hughes free throw with 1:50 remaining. The teams traded possessions until Little's jumper sealed it.
Ervin Youmans led all scorers with 22 points. WUO's Brad Krichevsky had 20, while Stanley Ratcliff, Jr. ended with 10.
UND will host Dickinson State at 7 p.m. next Tuesday at the Betty Engelstad Sioux Center.
Consolation Game: Minnesota-Crookston 64-Montevallo 59
Minnesota-Crookston squeeked out its first victory of the season, beating Montevallo in overtime. The Golden Eagles won 64-59 in the consolation game of the UND Thanksgiving Classic, held at the Bett Engelstad Sioux Center this evening.
UMC trailed by two points early in the overtime period, however, Bryce Cummings drilled a three-pointer to put the Golden Eagles ahead 55-54 with 3:51 remaining. Then Matt Pelzer and Justin Peddycoart scored lay-ups on consecutive possessions to put the Eagles ahead for good.
Aaron Smith led all scored with 15 points. Peddycoart ended with 10 points and 12 rebounds.
Montevallo was led by Anthony Brown's 13 points and Taurus Dortch, who scored 11.