North Dakota defeats Winthrop 90-88

North Dakota Edges Winthrop in Thrilling Comeback Victory

The Betty Engelstad Sioux Center was electric on Saturday night as the North Dakota Fighting Hawks emerged from a 9-point halftime deficit to defeat visiting Winthrop, 90-88, in a non-conference showdown.

Trailing 38-47 at intermission, North Dakota's offense roared back to life behind a strong second-half performance from senior Eli King. The forward scored 11 of his game-high 25 points during the period, including three 3-pointers that sliced the deficit to just two with under two minutes remaining.

King's heroics were backed up by a balanced attack from his teammates. Senior Garrett Anderson chipped in with eight more points and nine rebounds, while sophomore Isaiah Wilson added six assists to help North Dakota outlast Winthrop on the road.

For Winthrop, Logan Duncomb led the way with 21 points and nine rebounds off the bench. However, the senior's dominance was not enough to overcome the Fighting Hawks' late surge.

North Dakota's comeback served as a testament to the team's resilience and depth. Despite being outrebounded by five, the home team made crucial adjustments on defense that allowed them to stay in the game. The Hawks also capitalized on Winthrop's struggles from beyond the arc, holding the Eagles to just 39% shooting from 3-point range.

The win was a significant one for North Dakota, which has been looking to make a push in the Summit League standings. A matchup against a ranked opponent will be a major test of their mettle, but on Saturday night, they showed that they have what it takes to compete with the best.

Game Leaders

North Dakota

* Eli King: 25 points (4-9 3PT, 50.0% FG)

* Garrett Anderson: 9 rebounds, 8 points, 3 assists

* Isaiah Wilson: 6 assists, 1 rebound

Winthrop

* Logan Duncomb: 21 points, 9 rebounds

* Isaiah Wilson: 6 assists, 1 rebound