CONWAY, Ark. – Elijah Brooks had a season high 12 points against New Orleans on Saturday, but the final two were the most memorable of his young career as he dunked the ball at the buzzer to give the Fighting Hawks a 71-69 win over the Privateers.

Treysen Eaglestaff set up Brooks for the final assist of the game and led all scorers with 23 points. Amar Kuljuhovic also notched his first career double-double with 15 points and ten rebounds.

NoDak started out slowly in the first half, unable to get in a rhythm offensively and trailed by as many as 16 points in the opening half. But the Fighting Hawks stuck with it and closed the half on a 9-0 run to trim the margin from 34-18 to 34-27 going into intermission. Kuljuhovic made a layup, then went 2-2 from the line and then Eaglestaff scored the final five points of the half on a three and then a layup with four ticks left.

Despite the momentum from the end of the half going the way of UND, New Orleans was able to go back ahead by double digits early in the second half. But the Fighting Hawks chipped away, and with 6:56 to go Eaglestaff hit from downtown to put the green and white ahead for the first time at 47-46. Eaglestaff scored all eight of an 8-0 run that put NoDak on top. But New Orleans fought back and took a 60-51 lead with 2:39 left, but just like the first half UND closed the half on a 9-0 run that tied the game at 60; which provided five minutes of extra basketball.

With 1:12 left in overtime, New Orleans led 69-65. But in clutch time, UND took the reins. Eaglestaff hit a fast break layup, then B.J. Omot got out on the break with a dunk to tie the game at 69 and then Eaglestaff fed Brooks for the final points of the game to win it at the gun for the Fighting Hawks.

The Fighting Hawks will take on Eastern Michigan to conclude their weekend at the Central Arkansas Classic tomorrow at noon.

Postgame Notes 

·         UND overcame a 16 point deficit to win the game, the first time they overcame that large a deficit since January 29, 2021 against Western Illinois.

·         With this win, NoDak has won four straight games for the first time since 2017.

·         The Fighting Hawks bench outscored the Privateers bench 29-18.

·         The shooting percentage for UND went up each stanza as the green and white shot 31.03% in the first half, 46.43% in the second half and 83.33% in overtime.

·         Kuljuhovic led the team with three steals and tied with Eli King for the team lead with two blocks.

·         Eaglestaff led the team with five assists.

  

How It Happened 

First Half

15:30 – New Orleans 11, UND 3

11:55 – New Orleans 16, UND 10

6:51 – New Orleans 28, UND 16

3:13 – New Orleans 34, UND 20

Half – New Orleans 34, UND 27

Second Half

15:37 – New Orleans 40, UND 28

11:19 – New Orleans 41, UND 32

7:26 – UND 58, New Orleans 56

2:38 – New Orleans 60, UND 51

End of regulation – UND 60, New Orleans 60

Overtime

Final – UND 71, New Orleans 69

For more information on North Dakota men's basketball, follow on social media @UNDmbasketball or visit FightingHawks.com.