GRAND FORKS, N.D. – The North Dakota men's basketball team played a thrilling game Wednesday night against Northern Colorado as part of the Big Sky-Summit League challenge, but despite 24 from Treysen Eaglestaff and a career high 23 points from Tyree Ihenacho; the Fighting Hawks fell 97-87 at the Betty Engelstad Sioux Center.

Ihenacho also led the team with six assists, while B.J. Omot led with seven rebounds and poured in 19 points. Omot blocked two shots while Ihenacho picked up two steals.

Early on both offenses were clicking, the NoDak offense setting the pace. The green and white started 6-7 from the field, taking a 13-6 lead shortly after the first media timeout. Over the next four plus minutes both teams shot north of 66% from the field, with UND still holding a narrow lead at 21-17. Omot provided offense early for the Fighting Hawks as he made his first four shots from the field—including two threes. Eaglestaff came on strong as the half went on as he made all four of his threes in the first frame, finishing with 17 points at half. But it was the Bears who went into halftime with the lead, up 51-49.

Brady Danielson made a basket to start the second half, knotting the game up at 51. Later the game would be tied at 55, but the Fighting Hawks could not take the lead at any point during the second half. A layup from Ihenacho made it a three point game at 65-62, but from there UNC expanded their lead. The Fighting Hawks closed the game on a 10-6 run, but could not close the gap as the Bears were solid from the line and prevented the Fighting Hawks from coming back.

North Dakota will travel to Flagstaff, Ariz. to take on former Big Sky foe Northern Arizona in the second game of the Big Sky-Summit League challenge this Saturday. Tip off is at 2 p.m.

Postgame Notes 

·        Danielson scored ten points, the fourth Fighting Hawk in double figures.

·        UND shot 56.3% from the field in the first half and 46.2% from three point range.

·        No threes were made in the second half until the final three minutes.

·        Jaron Rillie led all scorers with 30 points for UNC.

·        UNC has won the last three meetings in the series.

How It Happened 

First Half

15:56 – UND 11, UNC 6

11:36 – UND 21, UNC 17

7:11 – UND 33, UNC 31

1:35 – UNC 47, UND 42

Half – UNC 51, UND 49

Second Half

15:58 – UNC 59, UND 55

11:10 – UNC 69, UND 62

7:52 – UNC 75, UND 66

3:59 – UNC 84, UND 72

Final – UNC 97, UND 87

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