SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (Interstat) — In a game defined by defensive pressure and offensive miscues, the North Dakota State Bison used a decisive advantage in turnovers to pull away from the Oral Roberts Golden Eagles for a 76-65 victory in a Summit League men’s basketball tournament quarterfinal on Thursday night at the Elmen Center.

The top-seeded Bison, who finished the regular season as conference champions, leveraged their trademark defensive intensity to force 17 Oral Roberts turnovers, converting them into a steady stream of transition opportunities. The eighth-seeded Golden Eagles, despite a valiant 24-point effort from guard Connor Dow, could not overcome their own mistakes or match North Dakota State’s efficiency down the stretch.

North Dakota State improved to 25-7 overall and advanced to the tournament semifinals. Oral Roberts, which had shown recent life with three wins in its last four games, ended its season at 9-23.

The contest was a stark contrast in ball security and offensive execution. While both teams struggled from the field—North Dakota State shot 40.3% and Oral Roberts 38.5%—the Bison’s ability to create extra possessions proved the difference. They committed only eight turnovers of their own, leading to a plus-nine margin that fueled their offensive rating of 108.5 points per 100 possessions, significantly better than Oral Roberts’ 96.9.

Damari Wheeler-Thomas and Trevian Carson provided the consistent scoring punch for the Bison. Wheeler-Thomas, a junior guard from Elgin, Illinois, finished with 18 points, while Carson, a sophomore from West Des Moines, Iowa, added 17. Their backcourt pressure was instrumental, combining for five of North Dakota State’s 10 steals. The interior presence of Noah Feddersen was also crucial; the 6-foot-10 junior from Menomonie, Wisconsin, posted 12 points and controlled the glass with a game-high four offensive rebounds as part of the Bison’s 14-10 advantage on the offensive boards.

Oral Roberts hung tough for much of the first half, trading baskets early. A three-pointer from Luke Gray brought the Golden Eagles within 11-8, but North Dakota State responded with an 11-3 run, capped by a Trevian Carson three-pointer, to open a 22-11 lead. The Bison maintained control for the remainder of the period, taking a 36-26 advantage into halftime.

The Golden Eagles made several pushes in the second half. A driving layup by Dow and a three-pointer from Ofri Naveh cut the deficit to 43-38 with 16:24 remaining, prompting a North Dakota State timeout. Each time Oral Roberts threatened, however, the Bison had an answer, often generated by their defense. A key sequence occurred with just over 10 minutes left; after a Connor Dow three-pointer brought Oral Roberts within 57-54, the Bison forced turnovers on the Golden Eagles’ next two possessions, leading to five quick points from Wheeler-Thomas and Carson to push the lead back to eight.

Dow, a 6-foot-6 junior from Broken Arrow, Oklahoma, was the primary offensive engine for Oral Roberts, playing 36 minutes and adding four assists. Gray provided support with 15 points and two blocks, and Ty Harper chipped in 10 points. But the Golden Eagles’ offense too often stalled, managing only six total assists against their 17 turnovers.

North Dakota State gradually extended its lead in the final eight minutes, capitalizing on Oral Roberts’ frustration and foul trouble. The Bison sealed the game at the free-throw line, making 14 of 19 attempts, while Oral Roberts connected on 12 of 17.

The most critical phase of the game was North Dakota State’s sustained defensive focus throughout the second half. Despite Oral Roberts shooting a higher percentage after halftime (39 points on 46.4% from the field compared to the Bison’s 40 points on 40%), the Golden Eagles could never put together a sustained, clean offensive series to fully close the gap. Every mini-run was immediately met with a Bison steal, a defensive stop, or a critical basket from Wheeler-Thomas or Carson. This consistent defensive response, particularly in the latter stages of the shot clock, prevented Oral Roberts from ever building the momentum necessary to overtake the tournament’s top seed.

The victory sets up a semifinal matchup for North Dakota State on Saturday. Oral Roberts, which fell to the Bison for the second time this season following a double-overtime thriller in January, sees its season conclude.