Mastodons Roar Back in Second Half to Top NDSU, 84-80

Thursday, January 20

Fargo, N.D.

8:00 p.m.

Purdue Fort Wayne

North Dakota State

Ben Botts scored 21 points and moved into 5th place All-Time in scoring at IPFW

Mastodons Roar Back in Second Half to Top NDSU, 84-80

1/20/2011 11:11:50 PM | Men's Basketball

Box Score

Fargo, ND - IPFW snapped out of a funk, which saw them trail by 14 points at the half, to storm back in the second half and beat North Dakota State, 84-80 on Thursday night at the Bison Sports Arena.

North Dakota State (9-9, 3-5 SL) shot a torrid 58.3% in the opening half and got to the rim at win to take a 45-31 advantage at the break.

But in the second half, IPFW turned up the defensive intensity and began to hit their shots.

The Mastodons began to make their push with just over 14-minutes left in the game. Sophomore guard Frank Gaines slashed to the hoop with his left hand, switched the ball to his right hand in mid-air and kissed the ball of the glass to cut the Bison lead to nine at 51-42.

NDSU pushed the lead back to 10, but after a basket inside by junior forward Trey McCorkle and a 3-pointer from freshman forward Michael Kibiloski, the 'Dons were down just five at 56-51 with 9:40 to go.

The teams traded baskets for the next few minutes until IPFW exerted its will one more time. Senior guard Ben Botts knocked down his second triple of the game to make it 69-63 NDSU.

And after an offensive rebound and put-back by Kibiloski, IPFW cut the Bison lead to just two at 70-68, with 4:34 left.

The Mastodons would tie the game on a second-effort basket inside by junior guard Jeremy Mixon and took their first lead of the game since the 17:52 mark of the first half on a 12-foot jumper from McCorkle.

Senior guard Zach Plackemeier then threw a dagger at NDSU with a triple from the left wing to give IPFW a five-point 77-72 cushion with 1:32 remaining.

North Dakota State got as close as one the rest of the way on a steal and slam by senior forward Michael Tveidt, but Botts caught everyone off guard by driving to the hoop and scoring and hit a pair of free throws, along with Plackemeier down the stretch as the 'Dons completed the comeback.

Botts, who moved into fifth place all-time in IPFW scoring history, led the Mastodons with a game-high 21 points. McCorkle dropped in 16 points, while Plackemeier and Mixon added 15 and 12 points, respectively.

Tveidt led six Bison in double-digits with 14 points.

IPFW, who shot just 38.9% in the opening half, torched the nets for 64.3% in the second half. The 'Dons also won the battle of the boards, 25-22.

The loss for NDSU was their first this season at home.

IPFW (12-6, 6-2 SL) takes over sole possession of second place in The Summit League with the win. IPFW had been tied with IUPUI, but the Jaguars fell in double-overtime at UMKC on Thursday night, 85-77.

The Mastodons finish up their two-game conference road swing on Saturday night at South Dakota State. Game time is 8:30 p.m.

~Dons~