Photo By Nolan P. Schmidt
Here are Ross Uglem’s three quick takeaways from tonight’s NDSU hoops win over Oral Roberts.
Second Half Turnaround
What a second-half adjustment from coach Richman and his crew. After allowing 67 percent shooting from the field in the first half and 48 points, North Dakota put the CLAMPS on Oral Roberts in the second stanza. The Golden Eagles shot 20 percent from both three-point range and the floor. Oral Roberts did not make a field goal for the first twelve minutes of the second half. The Bison opened up the half on a 15-0 run to take a ten point lead and never looked back.
Surviving the Storm
Oral Roberts started the game red hot. They made ten of their first ten field goal attempts and 12 of 13, with the only miss being a blocked shot by Rocky Kreuser. The Bison dug themselves a 14-point hole. No one blinked. Richman sent in “the crew” including Jordan Horn and Cameron Hunter. Hunter had 12 first-half points on four three-pointers made, including a run of three straight makes on three straight possessions. That offensive output allowed NDSU to keep the game competitive, and ultimately had just as much to do with North Dakota State’s victory.
Tyson Tough
Tyson Ward showed a whole new facet to his game on Sunday night. Ward scored all of his game-high 25 points either in the paint or from the free throw line. The Tampa, Florida, native was a blistering 11 of 13 from the floor. A number of those buckets came in key moments. Ultimately the Golden Eagles had no answers for number 24. Ward was also instrumental in NDSU’s dominant second-half defensive performance.
