In a shocking turn of events, North Dakota pulled off a stunning 81-80 upset over St. Thomas at the Lee & Penny Anderson Arena, silencing the home crowd and sending a statement to the college basketball world. This monumental victory for the Fighting Hawks marked a significant upset, as they took down a St. Thomas team that was predicted to win by 10.7 points, according to CHD Scout. The actual outcome was a far cry from the predicted 83-72 score, with North Dakota emerging victorious by a single point.
Nolan Minessale was unstoppable for St. Thomas, pouring in 24 points, but it wasn't enough to overcome the Fighting Hawks' balanced attack. Garrett Anderson led the charge for North Dakota, scoring 20 points and spearheading a second-half surge that saw his team outscore the Tommies 46-37. The Fighting Hawks trailed by eight at halftime, 43-35, but they refused to back down, using a strong defensive effort to hold St. Thomas to just 37 points in the second half.
The Tommies, who fell to 17-6 on the season, were led by not only Minessale's 24 points but also Nick Janowski's impressive all-around performance, which included 20 points, 5 rebounds, and 5 assists. Austin Herro also chipped in with 11 points, 8 rebounds, and 6 assists, but it wasn't enough to overcome the Fighting Hawks' determination and grit. For North Dakota, Eli King and Zach Kraft provided crucial support, each scoring 14 points and grabbing 6 rebounds.
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This upset victory has real consequences for both teams. For North Dakota, the win boosts their record to 13-12 and provides a much-needed Quad 2 victory, which will undoubtedly strengthen their tournament resume. On the other hand, the loss is a Quad 4 defeat for St. Thomas, which could potentially hurt their chances of securing a favorable seed in the tournament. The Tommies' net ranking of 113 will likely take a hit, while North Dakota's net ranking of 269 will receive a substantial boost.
The resume implications of this result are substantial. North Dakota's victory over a top-120 team in St. Thomas will be a valuable addition to their tournament profile, showcasing their ability to compete against stronger opponents. Conversely, St. Thomas must regroup and refocus, as this loss could have a lasting impact on their tournament chances. As the season enters its final stretch, both teams want to build on this result, with North Dakota aiming to ride the momentum of this upset and St. Thomas seeking to bounce back from a disappointing defeat.