ST. GEORGE, Utah – A career high 28 points from Treysen Eaglestaff guided the North Dakota men's basketball team to a convincing 79-62 win over Utah Tech on Saturday night. The Fighting Hawks led over 37 minutes in the game, taking the lead at the 17:26 mark of the first half and never looked back.

Eaglestaff set new career highs with 28 points and six three pointers made while Amar Kuljuhovic set a new career high with 13 rebounds.

After Utah Tech got on the board first with a three pointer, the Fighting Hawks reeled off the next 11 points—a dunk from B.J. Omot started the run, followed by a layup from Eaglestaff, a block from Omot on the defensive end that turned into an Omot three on the other end, a bucket in his season debut from Tyree Ihenacho and then one from Tsotne Tsartsidze made it 11-3. At the 10:39 mark of the first half Eaglestaff hit a three to go up 19-7 and the game would be double-digits the rest of the way. At halftime the score was 40-21 in favor of the green and white.

During the second half, NoDak led by as many as 29 and the outcome was secure over the final 20 minutes as the Fighting Hawks earned their second road win of the season.

North Dakota has one more nonconference game--traveling to Lincoln, Nebraska for a showdown with the Cornhuskers on Dec. 20. The first home game of the season will be Dec. 29 against St. Thomas, which begins Summit League play.

Postgame Notes 

·         UND had two scorers go over 20 points for the second time this season (Eaglestaff 28, Omot 20). The first was against Elon (Eaglestaff 26, Omot 21) on Nov. 12.

·         NoDak dominated on the glass with 48 rebounds to 29 for Utah Tech.

·         Ihenacho had nine points in the game, all in the first half, in his season debut.

·         Eaglestaff and Tsartsidze tied for the team lead with two steals.

·         Tsartsodze led with two blocks.

·         With an 8-4 record through 12 games, it is the best record at this point of the season in the Division I era for the Fighting Hawks.

·         Ihenacho led the team with four assists.

How It Happened 

First Half

15:07 – UND 11, UTU 3

11:42 – UND 16, UTU 7

7:49 – UND 23, UTU 12

3:22 – UND 30, UTU 14

Half – UND 40, UTU 21

Second Half

15:16 – UND 52, UTU 28

11:31 – UND 58, UTU 30

8:08 – UND 66, UTU 40

3:35 – UND 76, UTU 50

Final – UND 79, UTU 62

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