GRAND FORKS, N.D. – Despite leading for the first 30 minutes of the contest, North Dakota suffered a 60-59 decision to South Dakota State inside the Betty Engelstad Sioux Center on Saturday afternoon.

The Jackrabbits (8-9, 3-2 SL) trailed by 15 points before intermission but went on a 25-5 run in the second half to go up 57-46 with 5:20 left. The Fighting Hawks (6-11, 0-4 SL) clawed their way back into the game and went on an 11-0 run over the final five minutes to knot the game up at 59-59.

In the final seconds, Tsotne Tsartsidze was called for a foul on Alex Arians with 2.0 seconds left. Arians went 1-for-2 at the line and it was the difference, allowing the Jackrabbits to escape the Betty with the 60-59 win.

Tsartsidze paced UND with 16 points and six rebounds. It marked his fifth double digit performance of the season. Tsartsidze jumpstarted North Dakota's 11-0 run with a made triple to bring the tally to 59-51.

Matt Norman was next in scoring for the Hawks, pouring in 12 points in 15 minutes of play.

Brady Danielson corralled a team-high eight rebounds and was the final Hawk in double figures with 10 points.

In the game, North Dakota shot 39.2 percent, added eight triples and went 11-for-14 at the charity stripe. During the 11-0 run at the end, UND went 6-for-8 at the line. South Dakota State made 38.3 percent of its shots, drained eight makes from deep and finished 8-for-12 at the line.

The Fighting Hawks were haunted by turnovers, giving away 18 of them which converted to 23 points from turnovers for the Jackrabbits. SDSU also won the battle in the paint by 32-12 margin, while UND held a 38-31 rebounding advantage.

NoDak's reserves held up its reputation for having the best bench in the league, outscoring the South Dakota State bench, 20-8.

North Dakota led 33-20 at the break. The Fighting Hawks put down a 13-2 run to open the game and built its lead up to 15 points at 33-18 right before intermission, using an 8-0 run with one minute before halftime to extend its lead.

In the opening period, North Dakota made 42.9 percent of its shots and pulled down 23 rebounds. Comparatively, South Dakota State shot 26.7 percent and grabbed 15 boards. Both teams notched 12 points in the paint.

Tsartsidze was the leading scorer for the Hawks in the first 20 minutes, knocking down four shots and one make from downtown for 11 points. Danielson was the next most productive scorer, netting eight points.

North Dakota will visit Omaha on Thursday. Opening tip between the Fighting Hawks and Mavericks is slated for 7 p.m. The game will air on Mavs All-Access and will be carried on the Home of Economy Radio Network.

Postgame Notes

• North Dakota now holds a 105-93 lead in the series against South Dakota.
• SDSU is riding an 14-game winning streak in the series.
• The Jackrabbits used a 25-5 run in the second half to claim a 57-46 lead.
• UND knotted the game up at 59-59 following an 11-0 run over the final five minutes.
• Alex Arians went 1-for-2 at the line in the final seconds and it was the difference.
• North Dakota led for the first 29 minutes and 43 seconds.
• The UND bench outscored the SDSU reserves by a 20-8 margin.

How It Happened
First Half

• 15:38 – UND 6, SDSU 2
• 11:55 – UND 13, SDSU 5
• 7:48 – UND 18, SDSU 11
• 3:03 – UND 24, SDSU 15
• 0:00 – UND 33, SDSU 20

Second Half

• 15:46 – UND 33, SDSU 22
• 11:19 – UND 44, SDSU 35
• 7:35 – SDSU 51, UND 46
• 3:48 – SDSU 57, UND 48
• 0:00 – SDSU 60, UND 59