Box Score Dec. 16, 2010
Final Stats
FARGO, N.D. - North Dakota State had four players in double figures, led by Freddy Coleman's 19 points, as the Bison held on for a 76-71 win over the UC Davis men's basketball team Thursday, at the Bison Sports Arena.
Josh Ritchart led the Aggies with 17 points on 6 of 11 shooting, before fouling out in the second half. Mark Payne recorded 16 points and four assists, while Joe Harden and Mike Kurtz chipped in with nine points apiece.
The game was tied at 69-69 late in the second half with just 3:15 left to play when Ritchart fouled out. NDSU scored five unanswered points over the next two minutes to take control, as UC Davis failed to convert on a field goal in the final three minutes.
With the win, NDSU improved to 7-3 on the season, while UC Davis fell to 4-7.
After a 3-1 lead to start the game for UC Davis, NDSU rattled off a 15-0 run to take a 16-3 advantage with 16:04 on the clock. The Aggies got right back into the game, responding with a 14-3 run, moving the score to 19-17 with the Bison holding the lead.
The runs continued in the first half, with NDSU taking another double digit advantage, going up 27-17 at the 9:02 mark. UC Davis ended the half on a 21-10 run behind Ritchart's 12 first half points, to take a 38-37 lead into the locker room
The Bison scored the first eight points of the second half, before going up by nine with a 49-40 score three minutes into the period. The Aggies took back the lead again with a 56-55 score, thanks to a 7-1 run, capped off by a Harden jumper at the 10:19 mark.
UC Davis would not lead again, but had the score tied that 61-61 and 69-69. Ryan Silva's three evened the score at 69 all with 3:15 remaining, before the Bison 5-0 run. In the next two minutes, both Ritchart and Harden fouled out. Harden's final foul was a player control foul, that waved off a potential three point play.
Two Payne free throws had the Aggies within three after a 74-71 score with 19 seconds on the clock. NDSU converted on a pair of free throws however, that sealed the game with a final 76-71 score.
UC Davis returns next week to play their final game before the Christmas break, facing Southern Utah on Tuesday, Dec. 21 at 7 p.m. in The Pavilion. The game against the Thunderbirds also marks the final nonconference contest before Big West competition begins.
