It was a busy weekend for Bison athletics
There were plenty of Bison athletics events happening this past weekend. In the mix were both the men’s and women’s basketball teams and the men’s and women’s track and field teams. All four are nearing the end of their season and have had a strong showing this season. Let’s take a look at their results from this past weekend.
Basketball
The men’s and women’s basketball teams both had two games against SDSU Jackrabbits. The Scheels center in Fargo was a load for the state-line rivalry. On the Friday night games, both Bison teams lost. The women lost 86-78 and the men lost a close 68-67.
Heaven Hamling led NDSU with 23 points which included five three-point shots. As a team, the Bison were on point with free throws. They went 20-23 on the night with five Bison shooting 100% on the night. Abby Schulte had the most though and had a ridiculous 9-9 free throws.
The men’s game started out horrifically. They were behind for the first 35 min including a 13-point deficit in the first half. The comeback wouldn’t do it though. SDSU’s Charlie Easley won the game with a three-pointer with just 18 seconds left.
On Saturday night, the women had another loss while the men’s team finished with a win. The women’s team lost 69-60. It was a monster night for Jackrabbit Tylee Irwin. Irwin gave the Bison fits with her 31-points throughout the game. NDSU’s points leader was Ryan Cobbins with 16 points.
The men won in a nail-bitter and had a reversed role with their competition. For the first half of the game and much of the second, the men dominated at one point leading by 22 points with 13 minutes to go. The Jackrabbits chipped their way back to within three points with just 19 seconds left. The Bison defense held on to get the win.
It was a great team effort by the Bison. Six separate Bison scored more than 10 points. Rocky Kreuser led them with 17 points. He also led the team in rebounds with six.
Both teams will head down to play the USD Coyotes in two games apiece this weekend to finish their regular season. The men’s team sits in second play just behind the Coyotes in Summit League standings. The women’s team sits in third behind the Coyotes. It will be an important pair of games for both of them.
Track and Field
The men and women’s track team competed in their final meet, the UND Indoor tune-up.
The women’s team had a series of first-place finishers. Bailee Dirks won the 60m hurdles. Jennie Baragar-Petrash won the mile. Shelby Gunnells won the shot put with Michaela Hawkins behind her in second. Grace Zimmerman won the 400m dash. Alissa Melvin won the long jump. Tiana Pfaff won the triple jump.
The men’s team also had a large set of first-place finishers. Josh Knutson won the 400m dash with Adrian Harris and Jacob Levin right behind him in second and third respectively. Maxwell Otterdahl won the shot put. John Saymn won the 800m run. Dante White won the 60m dash. Hunter Merkley won the long jump. Levi Rockey won the weight throw.
The men’s team currently has three shut put throwers in the NCAA.
Both the men’s and women’s teams will participate in the Summit League Indoor Championships this weekend in Brookings, SD.
