Gophers dominate with a commanding exhibition victory over the Bison
MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. — The North Dakota State men's basketball team experienced a tough start to their exhibition season, as they suffered an 80-54 defeat at the hands of the University of Minnesota on Thursday evening. And this is the part most fans might not see coming—the Bison were actually leading early on.
Just over 11 minutes into the game, NDSU held a 23-18 advantage. But then, Minnesota turned the tide dramatically, launching a 13-0 scoring run that flipped the game and kept the Gophers in control from that point forward.
Leading the Bison was junior guard Trevian Carson, who scored a team-high 14 points. Senior Markhi Strickland contributed with nine points and pulled down five rebounds, providing some solid veteran presence. Additionally, Max Majerle and Damari Wheeler-Thomas each chipped in with seven points apiece.
By the second half, Minnesota was ahead 49-40 with about 11 minutes remaining, but they kept pushing, scoring 14 consecutive points that effectively sealed their victory.
In terms of shooting efficiency, NDSU shot 35 percent overall, while Minnesota shot better at 48 percent. The Bison struggled from beyond the arc, making only 5 of their 24 three-point attempts, whereas the Gophers enjoyed more success with an 11-for-28 performance from deep.
One positive note for NDSU was their ball security—they committed just nine turnovers throughout the game, a respectable number considering the overall score disparity.
Looking ahead, the Bison are set to host MSU Moorhead in their next exhibition contest at the Scheels Center on Thursday, October 23. Will they bounce back and find their rhythm before the official season begins? Or will this game highlight ongoing challenges? Share your thoughts—do you think the Bison can turn things around quickly, or is this game a sign of more struggles to come?
