JONESBORO, Ark. (Interstat) — In a defensive struggle defined by frigid shooting, the North Dakota State Bison grinded out a victory over the Jacksonville State Gamecocks on Wednesday afternoon at Convocation Center.

The Bison never trailed, building a substantial first-half lead and weathering a scoring drought to secure the win. North Dakota State improved its season record to five wins and two losses, while Jacksonville State moved to an even three wins and three losses.

The game was a stark departure from offensive fireworks. North Dakota State scored 56 points from 60 possessions, while Jacksonville State managed only 43 points from 66 possessions. The teams combined to shoot 32 for 100 from the floor.

North Dakota State established control early, opening the game with a stepback jumper from Markhi Strickland and a 3-pointer from Damari Wheeler-Thomas. The Bison’s first-half offense, while not prolific, was efficient enough to build a 14-point lead by halftime, outscoring the Gamecocks 35-21 in the opening period.

Jacksonville State’s offensive woes were profound. The Gamecocks shot a dismal 13 for 50 from the field and made only four of their 21 attempts from beyond the arc. They also struggled at the free-throw line, converting 13 of 23 chances.

The Bison were led by a balanced scoring effort. Trevian Carson, a 6-foot-3 guard from West Des Moines, Iowa, finished with nine points, a block and a steal in 33 minutes. Damari Wheeler-Thomas, a guard from Elgin, Illinois, added 10 points and two assists.

Andy Stefonowicz, a 6-foot-1 guard from Minnetonka, Minnesota, orchestrated the offense with a game-high six assists over 36 minutes. Tay Smith, from Bowling Green, Kentucky, provided a spark off the bench with nine points, all coming from 3-point range.

For Jacksonville State, AC Bryant of Shreveport, Louisiana, scored seven points. Aitor Anabitarte, a 6-foot-8 forward from Lasarte-Oria, Spain, contributed six points in just five minutes of play off the bench.

The Bison capitalized on Jacksonville State’s mistakes, scoring 15 points off 14 Gamecock turnovers. The Gamecocks, by contrast, managed only four points off North Dakota State’s 10 turnovers.

Despite the loss, Jacksonville State held a slight edge in offensive rebounds, nine to eight, but could not translate those second chances into consistent scoring. Both teams managed only two fastbreak points apiece in a game largely played in the half-court.

The game, part of a multi-team event at Arkansas State’s Convocation Center, was played before an announced crowd of 203. North Dakota State’s next game is Friday against Arkansas State at the same venue. Jacksonville State returns to action Monday at home against North Alabama.

According to Interstat’s ELO system, Jacksonville State had been projected with a 59.40 percent probability to win. The total score of 99 points fell well below the over/under line of 142.