The North Dakota State Bison were back in action Tuesday night against the Samford Bulldogs to open the Samford Thanksgiving Invitational. Tuesday was the first meeting between these two programs. NDSU broke a single-game program record knocking down 20 three-pointers.
The Bison would quickly work out to a 24-12 lead, nine minutes into the game. With just under 11 minutes left in the first half, a Hamed Olayinka made layup, sparked a 12-0 Samford run that would bring the Bulldogs right back into the game. Both teams would trade blows throughout the first half as the last four minutes of the half saw 31 points exchanged. Samford would head into the break, up 50-44.
Coming out of the half, the Bison looked poised to recapture the lead, as a Jacari White bucket got the Bison scoring started, a bucket that started a 13-4 NDSU run to take back the lead at 57-56.
North Dakota State then proceeded to lock down the Bulldog offense, as the Bison got out to as big as a 15-point lead with just under five to play. With under three minutes left on the game clock, the Bulldogs went on an improbable 14-0 run, a run that was capped off by a Hamed Olayinka made jump-shot to tie the game with 10 seconds left on the game clock. A Brennan Watkins miss for the Bison would push this matchup into overtime, tied at 85 points apiece.
The overtime period opened up with a Noah Feddersen foul, that led to two Trey Fort free throw makes for the Bulldogs. After taking the lead on a Hamed Olayinka dunk, Samford would never relinquish their lead in overtime, as they shot a perfect 6-6 from the field, while nailing four free throws, leading to a 103-98 overtime win over the Bison.
Jacari White was once again the story tonight for NDSU, as he led the Bison in scoring with a new career high 30 points. The senior guard lit up the field, shooting 10-13 from the field, while adding six three-point makes, to help guide the Bison to a new school record of 20 made three-point attempts in a single game. Senior guard, Luke Kasubke also had a spectacular night, successfully hitting his first seven of eight three-point attempts, en route to a 21-point night, a new career high as well for the senior.
Samford’s lead scorers were Collin Holloway and Trey Fort, each dropping 24 apiece. Holloway shot 9-12 from the field, adding 11 rebounds and four assists to his efficient night. Fort went 8-15 from the field, knocking down five of his seven free throw attempts.
The Bison are back in action Wednesday afternoon, in Homewood once again, matching up against the West Georgia Wolves. Wednesday will be the first meeting between these two programs as well. Tip-off is scheduled for 3:00 p.m.
