North Dakota defeats Dakota St 88-56

North Dakota Dominates at Home in Statement Win

The North Dakota Fighting Hawks made a statement in their non-conference matchup against visiting Dakota St, putting on a clinical performance that left the visitors reeling. The result was a 88-56 win for the home team, marking one of the most lopsided scores of the season.

As the clock ticked down in the first half, it became clear that this game would not be a close contest. North Dakota's offense got off to a hot start, with Matthew Bothun scoring 9 points in the opening 10 minutes. The Fighting Hawks' defense also showed signs of life, holding Dakota St to just 12 points in the same stretch.

At halftime, North Dakota led by a 16-point margin, 49-33. While Dakota St's offense struggled to find its rhythm, the visitors' inability to contain Bothun and Marley Curtis was a major factor in their slow start. The duo combined for 14 first-half points, with Bothun hitting 5 of 7 from beyond the arc.

In the second half, North Dakota continued to pull away, outscoring Dakota St by 20 points. The Fighting Hawks' bench also chipped in, providing crucial support as the visitors struggled to mount a comeback.

Dakota St's struggles were evident on both ends of the floor. The team shot just 43% from the field and committed 18 turnovers, which North Dakota converted into 20 points offensively. The Fighting Hawks also outrebounded their opponents by 6, with Curtis grabbing 7 rebounds to complement his scoring.

Despite a quiet second half, Lukas Morgan still managed to score 13 points for Dakota St, including 9 in the first half. However, it was not enough to stem the tide of the game's outcome.

North Dakota's balanced attack allowed them to control every facet of the game, from rebounding and defense to offense and free throws. The Fighting Hawks shot 48% from the field, hit 30% on three-pointers, and went 75% at the line.

With the win, North Dakota continues to build momentum for their conference schedule, while Dakota St will look to regroup and refocus after a tough road loss.

Advanced Statistics

North Dakota's strong performance was evident in its advanced statistics. The Fighting Hawks shot an eFG% of 54.5%, outperforming their opponents by more than 10%. They also had the highest true shooting percentage (58.0%) on the night, thanks in large part to Bothun's hot three-point shooting.

For Dakota St, the loss was a harsh reminder of the challenges they face as an underdog road team. The Bison shot just 47.6% from the field and struggled with turnovers, committing 18 in all.

In the end, North Dakota's dominance told the story of the game, and it will be one to remember for the Fighting Hawks' faithful.