GRAND FORKS, N.D. -- The Nebraska-Omaha men's basketball team held a narrow lead for most of the second half, but a late rally allowed North Dakota to eke out a 75-73 North Central Conference win Saturday afternoon at the Betty Engelstad Sioux Center.
UNO falls to 10-8, 1-3 in NCC play, while UND improves to 9-10, 1-3.
The Mavericks maintained a small lead through most of the game as each team shot well from start to finish. But Emmanuel Little led a second-half surge by the Sioux that gave them the advantage in the final two minutes.
North Dakota shot 61.5 percent after the intermission, led by 16 points from Little. He finished the game with 22 points and dominated the glass with 17 rebounds. Matt Kruse scored 15, followed by Josh Doyle with 14.
Josh Vanderslice led UNO with a career-best 19 points, as the team shot 50 percent in the second half, 48 percent for the game.
Michael Jenkins scored 13 points, followed by
Denny Johnston with 12, and seven each from
Zac Robinson and
Andrew Bridger.
The game was noted by extremely physical play, which unfortuntely resulted in an injury to
Keith Price. Going for a rebound, Price took a hard elbow to the face. He required seven stitches and suffered a concussion, but no foul was called on the play.
UNO returns to action Thursday, hoping to avenge a loss earlier in year, as it hosts Augustana at Sapp Fieldhouse. Then next Saturday the Mavericks visit St. Cloud State.
