N Dakota St defeats Oral Roberts 79-77
Oral Roberts 77 - N Dakota St 79: Dramatic Comeback in the Scheels Center
In a thrilling contest that saw two teams battle through multiple periods, N Dakota St edged out Oral Roberts 79-77 on the road at the Scheels Center.
The primary storyline of this game was the incredible comeback by N Dakota St. Trailing by five points at halftime, the Bison erased the deficit in the second half to take control of the game. This dramatic turn of events set the stage for an intense finish that saw both teams fight for every point.
Oral Roberts' Yuto Yamanouchi-Williams led the scoring efforts with 19 points on 66.7% shooting, including a single three-pointer attempt. He provided the spark needed to give his team an early lead but was unable to sustain it as N Dakota St's offense adjusted and took over in the second half.
The Bison's Markhi Strickland paced them with 15 points on 54.5% FG while Treyson Anderson contributed 13 rebounds, 12 points, and one assist. Trevian Carson added 14 points, four assists, eight rebounds, and two steals as he orchestrated his team's comeback.
Looking at the advanced statistics, N Dakota St's offensive efficiency was slightly better, with a true shooting percentage of 49.0% compared to Oral Roberts' 52.2%. However, both teams struggled from beyond the arc, with N Dakota St making just 35.0% of their three-point attempts and Oral Roberts managing only 31.0%.
In terms of pace and tempo, N Dakota St's ability to control the glass was key, as they outrebounded Oral Roberts 27-21 on the defensive end but were slightly outscored in points in the paint (34-28).
The Bison's strong rebounding performance was a turning point in the game. By securing more boards than their opponents, N Dakota St gained an advantage that allowed them to limit Oral Roberts' second-chance opportunities and maintain possession of the ball.
Ultimately, N Dakota St's ability to stay focused and execute their strategy paid off as they secured the victory by just two points. This win marked a significant statement for the Bison, who demonstrated their resilience in the face of adversity on the road against a tough opponent.
The Scheels Center crowd witnessed an electric atmosphere that was fueled by both teams' passion and determination. Despite coming up short, Oral Roberts showed heart and displayed a level of consistency that would be beneficial to them as they move forward in conference play.