North Dakota State Holds Off Denver 82-77 Behind Trevian Carson's 23 Points

North Dakota State's Trevian Carson stole the show at Hamilton Gymnasium, scoring 23 points and grabbing 5 rebounds to lead the Bison to an 82-77 win over Denver. The victory marked a strong performance by Carson, who helped his team build a significant lead in the first half. North Dakota State took a 45-37 advantage into the break, thanks in part to Carson's 12 first-half points.

Denver's Carson Johnson tried to keep pace, scoring 21 points and dishing out 5 assists, but it wasn't enough to overcome the Bison's strong start. Johnson was supported by Zane Nelson's 20 points and 6 rebounds, as well as Jeremiah Burke's 13 points and 5 rebounds. However, the Pioneers' efforts were ultimately thwarted by North Dakota State's balanced attack, which saw Markhi Strickland and Andy Stefonowicz chip in with 13 and 12 points, respectively.

The game was predicted to be a comfortable win for North Dakota State, with CHD Scout forecasting a 9-point margin of victory. While the Bison didn't quite meet that expectation, they still managed to come out on top. The actual margin of 5 points was a reflection of Denver's resilience, but ultimately, North Dakota State's superior talent and depth told.

As the game unfolded, it became clear that North Dakota State's first-half lead would be difficult for Denver to overcome. The Pioneers made a push in the second half, outscoring the Bison 40-37, but it wasn't enough to erase the deficit. Trevian Carson continued to shine, scoring 11 points in the second half to help seal the win for North Dakota State.

The victory has real consequences for North Dakota State's tournament resume. As a Q4 win, it may not be the most impressive addition to their portfolio, but it's a win nonetheless. For Denver, the loss is a Q3 defeat, which won't hurt their resume too badly, but it's still a missed opportunity to pick up a quality win. With a current net ranking of 134, North Dakota State is firmly in the tournament conversation, and this win helps to solidify their position. Meanwhile, Denver's net ranking of 249 leaves them on the outside looking in, and they'll need to string together some impressive wins to get back in the mix. As it stands, North Dakota State's win over Denver is a solid, if unspectacular, addition to their tournament resume.