GRAND FORKS, N.D. – North Dakota fell 71-49 to North Dakota State inside the Betty Engelstad Sioux Center on Friday night. In the game, the Bison made 48.1 percent of its shots, while the Fighting Hawks were held to 30.2 percent from the field.

Grant Nelson was one of five Bison (4-11, 1-2 SL) to net double figures, finishing with a game-high 18 points and eight rebounds. He also dished out two assists.

Andrew Morgan was the next most productive NDSU player, throwing down 15 points and rejecting three shots. Morgan also grabbed eight boards, added two assists and had one steal.

A'Jahni Levias was the top Hawk (6-9, 0-2 SL), recording a team-high 10 points and two steals.

Tsotne Tsartsidze just missed double digits, adding nine points and recording three assists.

NDSU controlled the game down low, finishing with advantages in rebounds (41-27) and points in the paint (30-16). North Dakota State also held a 25-22 edge in bench scoring.

The Bison made 26-of-54 shots, knocked down 10 triples and made 69.2 percent of their free throws. Comparatively, the Hawks shot 30.2 percent (16-of-53), went 4-for-16 from distance and 13-for-21 at the charity stripe.

UND scored the opening bucket with a Brady Danielson jumper before NDSU hit a triple and led the rest of the way. The Bison held a 36-20 advantage on the scoreboard at intermission and built its lead up to 26 points late in the second half before taking the game by a tally of 71-49.

North Dakota will return to action on Thursday, hosting South Dakota at 7 p.m. The game will air on Midco Sports and will be carried on the Home of Economy Radio Network.

Postgame Notes

• North Dakota is now 163-143 all-time against North Dakota State. The Bison are 15-6 in the Division I era of the rivalry.
• UND utilized its seventh different starting lineup of the season.
• Bison runs of 12-2 and 6-0 in the first half allowed them to carry a 36-20 lead at intermission.
• The 30.2 percent shooting was a season-low for North Dakota.
• NDSU rejected five shots, while UND recorded three blocks.
• A'Jahni Levias made a career-high four free throws and led the team with 10 points.
• Treysen Eaglestaff recorded a season-high two steals.

How It Happened
First Half

• 15:12 – NDSU 10, UND 5
• 11:54 – NDSU 15, UND 9
• 7:54 – NDSU 24, UND 13
• 3:45 – NDSU 30, UND 18
• 0:00 – NDSU 36, UND 20

Second Half

• 15:25 – NDSU 43, UND 27
• 11:06 – NDSU 53, UND 35
• 7:43 – NDSU 58, UND 35
• 3:04 – NDSU 65, UND 43
• 0:00 – NDSU 71, UND 49