(Editor's note: Montana State University athletics release)
FARGO, N.D. – Montana State gained an early second half lead, but a North Dakota State 14-6 stretch pushed the Bison past the Bobcats 79-65 in a non-conference men's basketball matchup at the Scheels Center on Monday.
The Bobcats trailed the Bison 34-31 at halftime, despite committing eight turnovers, by holding NDSU to 41.9 percent from the field in the opening 20 minutes. MSU went on a 7-0 run to open the second half, as a Harald Frey 3-pointer and Amin Adamu jumper gave the Bobcats their largest lead of contest, 38-34 with 17:38 remaining.
NDSU (8-4) regained control and clung to a 44-43 at the under-16 media timeout. The Bison eventually created breathing room thanks to three straight made 3-pointers, and held a 58-49 edge with 9:19 left on the clock.
MSU cut the deficit to seven on two separate occasions, but NDSU was able to hold off any Bobcat rally by shooting 52 percent from the field and 5 of 7 (71.4 percent) from the 3-point line during the final 20 minutes of action.
Vinnie Shahid paced the Bison with 24 points. Tyson Ward registered a double-double with 19 points and 13 rebounds, while he also had a team-high four assists. Maleeck Hardin-Hayes joined them in double digits with 10 points.
The Bobcats out-shot the Bison recording a 49.1% clip from the field and had more points in the paint by totaling 34. NDSU took advantage of 16 MSU turnovers by scoring 26 points off Bobcat miscues.
Adamu scored an MSU-high 19 points while he was followed by Frey (18), Jubrile Belo (14) and Mychael Paulo (12). Adamu led the Cats in rebounding with six and Frey had five assists to pace Montana State (6-4).
The Bobcats travel to Bakersfield, Calif., to face the Cal State Bakersfield Roadrunners in their final non-conference game of the 2019-20 season. Tip-off is set for 8 p.m. MDT on Thursday, Dec. 19.
