The North Dakota State Bison secured a convincing 83-66 victory over the North Dakota Fighting Hawks, led by Andy Stefonowicz's 20 points. This win improves North Dakota State's record to 21-6, while North Dakota falls to 15-14. The Bison's 52-point second-half performance was the difference-maker, as they outscored the Fighting Hawks by 18 points in the final 20 minutes. North Dakota State's 83 points marked their highest scoring output in the past five games, with Stefonowicz's 20 points pacing the team.
Andy Stefonowicz's 20 Points Marked His 5th 20-Point Performance of the Season
The North Dakota Fighting Hawks and North Dakota State Bison were evenly matched in the first half, with the Bison trailing 32-31 at halftime. However, North Dakota State's offense caught fire in the second half, scoring 52 points on 55.6% shooting from the field. The Fighting Hawks, on the other hand, managed just 34 points in the second half, shooting 35.3% from the field. Greyson Uelmen's 16 points led the way for North Dakota, but it wasn't enough to overcome the Bison's balanced attack. North Dakota State's 17-point margin of victory marked their largest win since defeating the Omaha Mavericks by 22 points on January 21. The Bison's 21-6 record is their best start to a season since the 2014-2015 campaign, when they finished 23-10.
Andy Stefonowicz's 20 points led the way for North Dakota State, with Markhi Strickland and Damari Wheeler-Thomas adding 16 points each. Stefonowicz shot 7-12 from the field, including 4-7 from three-point range, and also grabbed 5 rebounds. For North Dakota, Greyson Uelmen's 16 points paced the team, while Eli King chipped in 12 points and 6 rebounds. Garrett Anderson added 11 points for the Fighting Hawks, but it wasn't enough to overcome the Bison's potent offense. North Dakota State's three top performers combined for 52 points, accounting for 62.7% of the team's total scoring output. Uelmen's 16 points marked his 10th double-digit scoring performance of the season.
CHD Scout Report Card
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Final
The North Dakota State Bison outshot the North Dakota Fighting Hawks 51.9% to 40.7% from the field, including a 45.5% to 30.8% advantage from three-point range. The Bison also outrebounded the Fighting Hawks 34-29, with a 12-8 edge on the offensive glass. North Dakota State's 52 second-half points marked their highest scoring half of the season, surpassing their previous high of 48 points in the first half against the Denver Pioneers on January 28. The Bison's 17-point margin of victory marked their 10th double-digit win of the season, with 7 of those victories coming by 15 points or more.
The CHD Scout predicted a North Dakota State victory by 9.9 points, and the Bison delivered with a 17-point win. This marked the 12th time this season that the CHD Scout has correctly predicted a North Dakota State victory. The Bison's 83 points exceeded the predicted score of 82, while North Dakota's 66 points fell short of the predicted 72. The CHD Scout has now correctly predicted 15 of North Dakota State's 21 wins this season, with an average margin of error of 4.5 points per game. The model's accuracy has been a key factor in North Dakota State's success, as they continue to navigate a challenging schedule.
This victory marked a Quadrant 4 win for North Dakota State, as they improved their record against Quadrant 3 and 4 opponents to 12-2. The Bison's NET ranking of 131 is expected to rise following this win, potentially cracking the top 125. For North Dakota, this loss marked a Quadrant 3 defeat, as they fell to 2-5 against Quadrant 1 and 2 opponents. The Fighting Hawks' NET ranking of 267 is likely to remain relatively stable, but their chances of earning a postseason berth may have taken a hit. North Dakota State's win also marked their 10th road victory of the season, tying them for the most road wins in the conference.
The North Dakota State Bison want to build on this momentum as they face the South Dakota State Jackrabbits on February 18. The North Dakota Fighting Hawks, meanwhile, will host the Omaha Mavericks on February 17. Both teams want to bounce back from this game, with the Bison seeking to extend their winning streak and the Fighting Hawks aiming to snap a two-game skid. North Dakota State's upcoming schedule features three consecutive road games, while North Dakota will play two of their next three games at home.