GRAND FORKS, N.D. – For the seventh time this season, five Fighting Hawks scored in double figures, to lead the North Dakota men's basketball team to a 96-80 victory over South Dakota on Saturday afternoon from Betty Engelstad Sioux Center. UND improves to 10-12 and 4-2 in Summit League play, while South Dakota drops to 10-10 and 2-3 in conference play.

Greyson Uelmen compiled a career-high 26 points, on 10-of-17 shooting from the field. Garrett Anderson (17), Eli King (15), Anthony Smith lll (15) and George Natsvlishvili (14) each scored at least 14 points, as UND moves to 7-0 this season when five players score 10 or more points.

UND basically went wire-to-wire, trailing briefly early on by 2-0 and 5-2 margins. North Dakota shot 54.8% from the field (40-of-73), while going 12-for-26 from the three-point line. The Fighting Hawks shot a season-low, seven free throw attempts, but the 40 field goals made and 54.8% field goal percentages were season-highs against a division l opponent.

NoDak dominated in the bench points (35-14), points in the paint (50-28), second chance points (24-5) and points off turnovers (15-7) departments. UND also had just six turnovers, compared to 13 from USD.

The Hawks led by as many as 22, originally jumping out to an 18-9 lead in the first seven minutes of the game. South Dakota came within as close as five points, trailing the Hawks 34-29 with 4:32 to play in the first, before UND went on 13-4 run over the next 2:16, to take its largest lead at the half, up 47-33.

South Dakota answered, going on a 8-2 run to end the half, as UND had a 49-41 lead going into the break. The Hawks were 20-of-35 from the field in the first half, led by Uelmen (16) and King (13) who combined for 29 points.

The Hawks quickly opened their lead up to 16, opening the second half up on an 11-5 run, to go up 60-46 with 15:16 to play.

The UND offense was clicking on all cylinders, going on an 8-2 from there, to take a 68-49 lead at the 11:53 mark. USD was able to show a glimpse of fight, answering with a 10-3 run, to cut the NoDak lead to 71-59 with 9:36 to play.

South Dakota was able to score, but was unable to slow down the UND offense enough to make the game within striking distance. One last 14-5 Hawks blitz made it an 85-64 game at the 6:28 mark. North Dakota would roll to a 96-80 victory over the Coyotes, snapping a two-game losing streak against them. Anderson (13), Uelmen (10) and Smith lll (11) combined for 34 second half points, on 14-of-23 shooting.

UND will now hit the road for a three-game road trip, starting with a trip to Tulsa for a second meeting this season with Oral Roberts on Thursday at 7 p.m.

Postgame Notes

• UND improves to 107-97 all-time against South Dakota
• North Dakota moves to 4-2 in conference play this season
• The Hawks are now 7-5 at home this season
• The 96 points were the most points in a conference game since Feb. 8, 2024 against Omaha (99)
• North Dakota's 40 field goals made were the most against a Division l opponent in program history
• Uelmen set a new career-high with 26 points on 10-of-17 shooting
• UND improves to 7-0 this season when having five players score 10 or more points
• It was the second time UND shot over 50.0% from the field (54.8%)
• Along with the efficiency, UND shot 20 more field goal attempts than USD (73 from UND, 53 from USD)
• Anderson has scored double figures in four straight games and six of his last seven
• King passed Aaron Anderson for sixth all-time in steals
• Smith lll had his ninth double-figure game, averaging 17.0 points per game over his last two contests
• Natsvlishvili had his seventh double-figure game
• Reggie Thomas set a career-high with two made three-point attempts
• North Dakota led for 37:25 of game time

How It Happened
First Half
15:17 UND 11, USD 7
11:41 UND 20, USD 15
8:04 UND 28, USD 18
3:46 UND 39, USD 29
Halftime: UND 49, USD 41
 
Second Half
15:16 UND 60, USD 47
11:53 UND 68, USD 49
7:51 UND 78, USD 64
3:55 UND 90, USD 72
Final: UND 96, USD 80

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