MBB: Bison and Oral Roberts split weekend series

FARGO, N.D. (GoBison.com) – The North Dakota State men’s basketball team held Oral Roberts to a season-low 54 points on Friday night, grinding out a 61-54 victory inside the Scheels Center.

The Bison shot 37.5 percent for the game, but limited the Golden Eagles to their second-lowest shooting percentage of the season at 33 percent.

Playing in his first game since Jan. 16, sophomore Maleeck Harden-Hayes led the Bison with 15 points and a career-high nine rebounds. Junior Sam Griesel added 13 points and eight boards for NDSU, and Jarius Cook scored 11.

Kevin Obanor (26 points) and Max Abmas (20 points) combined for 46 of ORU’s 54 points.

Oral Roberts jumped out to an early lead and held it from start to finish, beating the North Dakota State men’s basketball team 80-74 on Saturday night inside the Scheels Center.

NDSU fell to 9-3 in The Summit League, while ORU improved to 7-3.

Sophomore guard Max Abmas (25) and junior forward Kevin Obanor (23) combined to score 48 points for Oral Roberts.

NDSU was led by 20 points from senior Rocky Kreuser, and junior Sam Griesel added a double-double with 14 points and 10 rebounds. Maleeck Harden-Hayes pulled down a career-high 12 rebounds for the Bison.

NDSU does not play next weekend. The Bison will return to action on Feb. 19-20, hosting South Dakota State.