North Dakota (4-8) vs. Western Illinois (3-7)
17th career meeting | Series is tied 8-8 | Last Meeting: Nov. 23, 2025 | UND 78, WIU 69
Grand Forks, N.D. (Betty Engelstad Sioux Center)
Watch:
Midco Sports/SLN
Listen:
100.3 The Cat
Full Game Notes are
here
GRAND FORKS, N.D. – The North Dakota men's basketball team will look to make it two wins in a row on Saturday, squaring off against Western Illinois at 1 p.m. at Betty Engelstad Sioux Center. Coverage can be found on Midco Sports and listened to on 100.3 The Cat. Paul Ralston will be on the call.
UND is coming off an 89-43 victory over Crown College on Wednesday. Five Hawks had 10 or more points and 13 different players scored at least one point.
George Natsvlishvili led the way with 17 points, six rebounds and four steals.
It is the 17th all-time meeting between the Hawks and Leathernecks, with the teams tied 8-8 all-time. UND won the last matchup on Nov. 23 this season in Macomb, by a score of 78-69. UND overcame a 13-point first half deficit and a six-point halftime deficit to win the game.
Trio Combined for 56 Last Matchup
Garrett Anderson (21),
Eli King (19) and
Greyson Uelmen (16) combined for 56 of the teams 78 points last time these squads squared off on 17-of-34 (50.0%) from the field and 6-for-11 (54.5%) from behind the arc. These three combined for 42 of the squads 49 points in the second half.
Scouting the Opposition
Western Illinois enters this matchup with a 3-7 record, coming off a 78-47 win to Hannibal-LaGrange University.
The Leathernecks are led by Lucas Lorenzen (13.8) and Isaiah Griffin (10.5) who both are averaging double figures. Francis Okwusoah is averaging 9.4 points and 6.0 rebounds, while Antwaun Massey (missed last matchup against UND) is also averaging 9.4 points per game.
Pregame Notes
- Natsvlishvili is averaging 18.0 points, 8.0 rebounds and 2.5 steals per game over the last two contests on 60.9% shooting
- Four of the last five meetings between these two squads have been decided by less than 10 points
- King has 11 games with two or more steals this season, the most in the country
- UND ranks eighth nationally in turnover margin (+5.9), having less turnovers than its opponent in 10-of-12 games this season
- Zach Kraft is 28-for-64 from deep this season, connecting on three or more three-pointers in six games
- North Dakota forced 27 turnovers last game, the most in a game since Nov. 11, 2016 against Crown College
- Reggie Thomas is coming off a career-high 10 points
For more information on North Dakota men's basketball, visit FightingHawks.com or follow on social media @UNDmbasketball.
-- UND --
