Late Run Gives NDSU 81-71 Win Over Oakland

Jan. 29, 2009

FARGO, N.D. - Senior Erik Kangas drilled a 3-pointer with 6:35 remaining to tie the score at 64-64, but North Dakota State's Mike Nelson, who finished with a game-high 21 points, and Brett Winkelman (12 pts., 9 rebs.) scored 13 unanswered points to lead the Bison (15-5, 9-1) to their first ever win over Oakland University (13-10, 6-4), 81-71, in Summit League men's basketball action on Thursday night inside the Bison Sports Arena.

"That was a good basketball game," said OU coach Greg Kampe. "We had some mental mistakes down the stretch and they made their free throws and we didn't. They have a bunch of seniors and a lot of shots hit the rim and went in."

Sophomore Keith Benson finished with his team-best fifth double-double, scoring 13 points and grabbing 10 boards. Sophomore Will Hudson had a career-high 18 points, 10 in the first half, with four rebounds. Junior Johnathon Jones had 17 points and nine assists, while Kangas finished with 13 points and five rebounds.

"He just didn't look the same tonight," said Kampe of Kangas. "I don't know if that is fatigue or what. He was 23 of 36, so I knew that wasn't going to continue, that's insane."

NDSU had all five of its starters in double figures. Joining Nelson and Winkelman was senior Ben Woodside with 16 points and 10 assists, senior Lucas Moorman with 14 points and sophomore Michael Tveidt finishing with 11.

The Golden Grizzlies shot just 61 percent from the free throw line (8-22), while the Bison drained 96 percent of their attempts (21-22), a single-game school record, outscoring OU by 10 points at the free throw line which was the difference in the game. NDSU pushed its home winning streak to 11 games, the second longest active streak in the country.

Benson tied the single-season school record with his 41st block tonight, finishing the game with three. He moved into second all-time in school history with 81, 20 shy of that record.

The Golden Grizzlies began the game 7-for-12 from behind the arc, but finished just 1-for-10 in the second half. OU lost a first half lead for the first time in 10 straight games after leading 44-40 at the break, falling to 10-2 when the Grizzlies lead after 20 minutes.

Oakland will try and get back to its winning ways on Saturday in Brookings, S.D. as the Golden Grizzlies face South Dakota State (9-13, 4-6). Tip is scheduled for 8:30 p.m. ET.

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