FARGO, N.D. (Interstat) — In a high-octane Summit League shootout defined by offensive efficiency and a career-defining performance, North Dakota State outlasted Omaha 92-84 on Saturday at Scheels Center.

The Bison, improving to 20-6 overall, used a balanced and precise attack to hold off a furious second-half rally from the Mavericks, who fell to 12-14 despite a spectacular 38-point outburst from junior forward Paul Djobet.

The game’s pivotal stretch came late in the first half, transforming what had been a tight contest into a double-digit lead the Bison would never fully relinquish. With Omaha trailing 31-29 and under six minutes remaining, North Dakota State unleashed a decisive 15-4 run. The surge was fueled by perimeter shooting and defensive stops. Andy Stefonowicz hit a layup and converted a free throw, Treyson Anderson and Tay Smith sank three-pointers, and Noah Feddersen finished the half with a momentum-shifting alley-oop dunk off a feed from Damari Wheeler-Thomas with one second left. That sequence sent the Bison into halftime with a commanding 46-33 advantage.

Omaha refused to capitulate, opening the second half with increased defensive pressure and red-hot three-point shooting. The Mavericks whittled the deficit to single digits multiple times, largely behind Djobet, who scored 27 of his points after intermission. A three-pointer from Tony Osburn with 4:19 to play brought Omaha within 78-75, sending a jolt through the crowd of 2,323.

Each time the Mavericks threatened, however, North Dakota State had an answer. Following Osburn’s three, Trevian Carson immediately responded with one of his own on the ensuing possession. When Djobet hit a three to make it 80-78 with 3:49 left, the Bison executed perfectly in the final minutes. They scored 12 of the game’s final 18 points, with eight coming from the free-throw line, showcasing the poise that has them atop the conference standings.

While Djobet’s scoring prowess from Lille, France, was the individual highlight, the Bison won with superior ball security and efficiency. North Dakota State committed only five turnovers, half of Omaha’s total, and capitalized by making 20 of 22 free throws. Omaha, by contrast, attempted just 12 free throws, making nine.

Feddersen, a 6-foot-10 junior from Menomonie, Wisconsin, was instrumental for the Bison with 18 points and six rebounds, providing a consistent interior presence. Stefonowicz, the 6-foot-1 guard from Minnetonka, Minnesota, orchestrated the offense with 14 points and eight assists. The Bison also benefited from depth, with four players scoring in double figures, including Wheeler-Thomas with 13 and Markhi Strickland with 14.

Omaha’s backcourt duo tried to match the effort. Grant Stubblefield of Overland Park, Kansas, dished out 11 assists to go with eight points, and Osburn from Fairfax, Missouri, added 14 points. Ja’Sean Glover provided a spark off the bench with 16 points. The Mavericks shot a blistering 15 for 31 from three-point range but were outscored 38-28 in the paint and could not overcome the first-half turnover woes and the Bison’s near-perfect foul shooting.

The victory completed a regular-season sweep for North Dakota State, which also edged Omaha 78-76 on Jan. 10. It also snapped a brief two-game skid for the Bison, who lost to Denver last Thursday. Omaha has now lost two straight following a win at Denver on Jan. 31.

Both teams displayed remarkable offensive efficiency in a game that far exceeded the pregame over/under line of 144.5. North Dakota State scored 92 points on 71 possessions for an offensive rating of 128.8, while Omaha’s 84 points on 67 possessions yielded a 125.9 rating.

North Dakota State next travels to face rival North Dakota on Feb. 14. Omaha returns home to host Saint Thomas (Minn.) on Feb. 12.