LINCOLN, Neb. – The North Dakota men's basketball team closed its nonconference slate Wednesday night with a showdown in the capital of the Cornhusker State. Despite leading by ten at halftime, the Fighting Hawks fell to Nebraska 83-75.
Tyree Ihenacho led the way for UND, scoring a career high 22 points. B.J. Omot scored 21 and Treysen Eaglestaff added 13. Omot led with eight rebounds, including seven in the first half. Eli King led with four assists, Eaglestaff and Ihenacho tied for the team lead with two steals each and Omot and Tsotne Tsartsidze each blocked a shot.
NoDak started the game on an 11-4 run, with Omot hitting from beyond the arc to start the scoring for the Fighting Hawks and Ihenacho scoring four in the stretch. Later in the first half, the green and white went up by double digits as Brady Danielson got back-to-back layups that put UND up 25-15. As the half went on, Nebraska climbed back in the game and with 4:15 left in the half the game was knotted at 31. UND closed the half on an 11-1 run to lead 42-32 at the break. Omot scored 13 points and grabbed seven rebounds in the frame, while Ihenacho scored 14.
Eaglestaff came out of the intermission with a three pointer and Omot went 1-2 from the foul line to stretch the lead to 14 at 46-32, the largest lead of the game for the Fighting Hawks. From there, Nebraska chipped away and pulled within one at 49-48. Omot hit a jumper to push the lead back to three, but Nebraska tied it up on the next basket and from there the Huskers took the lead and held it the rest of the way. Danielson hit two foul shots with 2:17 left to bring UND within five at 74-69, but the Fighting Hawks were unable to pull any closer.
North Dakota will be off for the next eight days before starting their Summit League slate at home against St. Thomas Dec. 29.
Postgame Notes
· UND had two scorers go over 20 points for the second game in a row and third time this season.
· NoDak grabbed 42 rebounds to 38 for Nebraska.
· Ihenacho set a career high with five three pointers made.
· Both teams shot 11-32 from beyond the arc.
· UND is assured of ending the nonconference season with a share of the best record in the Summit League.
How It Happened
First Half
15:53 – UND 7, Neb 2
10:36 – UND 21, Neb 13
7:39 – UND 25, Neb. 19
3:35 – UND 33, Neb 31
Half – UND 42, Neb 32
Second Half
15:55 – UND 46, Neb 44
11:31 – Neb 56, UND 51
6:51 – Neb 66, UND 60
2:17 – Neb 74, UND 67
Final – Neb 83, UND 75
For more information on North Dakota men's basketball, follow on social media @UNDmbasketball or visit FightingHawks.com.
