SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (Interstat) — The North Dakota State Bison, asserting their dominance early and never relenting, cruised to a decisive 74-50 victory over the Omaha Mavericks in a Summit League men’s basketball game at the Elmen Center on Saturday.

From the opening tip, the Bison established control, building a 15-point halftime lead and methodically extending it in the second half. The win improved North Dakota State’s record to 26-7 overall, while Omaha concluded its season at 16-17.

The most critical phase of the contest was its inception. North Dakota State opened the game on a devastating 11-0 run, a stretch that exposed Omaha’s offensive struggles and set a defensive tone that would last the entire afternoon. The sequence began with Treyson Anderson winning the opening jump ball and converting a layup just 17 seconds in. After an Omaha turnover, Anderson scored again inside. Then, guard Andy Stefonowicz found Damari Wheeler-Thomas for a 3-pointer, forcing an Omaha timeout before the first media stoppage with the score already at 11-0.

Omaha never recovered from that initial blitz. The Mavericks missed their first five shots from the field and committed two turnovers before finally scoring on a Julian Margrave layup over four minutes into the game. The early deficit forced Omaha into a desperate catch-up mode against a disciplined Bison squad that capitalized on every mistake.

North Dakota State’s offensive efficiency, reflected in an offensive rating of 108.9 points per 100 possessions, starkly contrasted with Omaha’s frigid 72.9 rating. The Bison shot 44 percent from the field and outrebounded Omaha 44-28, including a dominant 9-2 advantage on the offensive glass that led to 13 second-chance points.

Wheeler-Thomas led all scorers with 15 points, adding three assists. Anderson provided a major spark off the bench with 16 points in just 14 minutes, consistently finishing at the rim. Stefonowicz orchestrated the offense with eight points and eight assists, while Noah Feddersen controlled the paint with 11 points, nine rebounds and two blocks.

Omaha, which split its two regular-season meetings with the Bison, could not find any offensive rhythm. The Mavericks shot a dismal 30 percent from the field and 15 percent from 3-point range. Paul Djobet and Ja’Sean Glover each reached double figures, scoring 11 and 13 points respectively, but the team managed only five assists against 12 turnovers.

The Bison’s defensive pressure was relentless, generating seven steals and consistently disrupting Omaha’s sets. The Mavericks’ 50-point output matched their lowest scoring total of the season.

North Dakota State, which entered the game as a 6.5-point favorite according to sportsbooks, easily covered the spread. The combined score of 124 points fell well under the betting total of 146.5, a testament to the Bison’s stifling defense and Omaha’s shooting woes.

With the victory, North Dakota State solidified its position as a top contender heading into the Summit League tournament, showcasing a balanced attack and a defensive intensity that overwhelmed its opponent from the opening minute. Omaha’s season, marked by close contests and a near-.500 record, ended with a performance that underscored the gap between the teams on this day.