North Dakota's trip to the Swinney Center resulted in a hard-fought 81-79 victory over Missouri-Kansas City, with the visiting team relying on a balanced attack to secure the win. The game was a back-and-forth affair, with North Dakota trailing 44-37 at halftime before outscoring Kansas City 44-35 in the second half to take the lead.
Garrett Anderson paced North Dakota with 22 points, while CJ Evans led all scorers with 24 points and added 7 assists for Kansas City. Evans' impressive performance was not enough to propel his team to victory, as North Dakota's supporting cast made key contributions late. Greyson Uelmen and Zach Kraft chipped in with 13 and 12 points, respectively, to help their team overcome a seven-point deficit at the break.
Kansas City's Karmello Branch and Jayson Petty also turned in strong performances, scoring 20 and 18 points, respectively. However, the home team's inability to contain North Dakota's offense in the second half ultimately proved costly. The visiting team shot 44 points in the second half, with Anderson and Uelmen combining for 21 of those points.
The game was marked by several key moments, including a 10-2 run by North Dakota midway through the second half that gave them a 65-63 lead. Kansas City responded with a 7-0 run of their own, but North Dakota's balanced attack allowed them to stay ahead. In the end, it was North Dakota's ability to make clutch shots and limit Kansas City's scoring opportunities that made the difference.
This result has real consequences for both teams' tournament resumes. As a Quadrant 4 game for both teams, the outcome will not greatly impact their chances of making the postseason. However, for North Dakota, the win helps to bolster their overall record and provides a much-needed confidence boost. With a current net ranking of 290, North Dakota must continue to rack up wins to improve their tournament chances. Kansas City, on the other hand, falls to 4-16 and must regroup and refocus if they hope to make a push for the postseason.
The victory for North Dakota is a reflection of their team's resilience and ability to perform under pressure. As they move forward, they want to build on this momentum and continue to make a case for themselves as a potential tournament contender. For Kansas City, the loss is a setback, but they will have opportunities to bounce back and prove themselves in future games. For now, North Dakota will savor the win and look to use it as a springboard for future success.