NCAAB · Final

North Dakota Dominates Dakota State in Convincing Win

Sunday, December 28, 2025, 2:00 PM ET · Betty Engelstad Sioux Center

North Dakota Fighting Hawks 88, Dakota State Trojans 56, final. Our NCAAB picks are sealed as a hash before kickoff and settled in public, losses included.

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Quick answers

Who won Dakota State Trojans vs North Dakota Fighting Hawks?

North Dakota Fighting Hawks beat Dakota State Trojans 88-56 at Betty Engelstad Sioux Center on December 28, 2025.

In a decisive matchup, the North Dakota Fighting Hawks defeated the Dakota State Trojans with a final score of 88-56 at the Betty Engelstad Sioux Center. This victory marks a critical moment for North Dakota, who has struggled recently but showcased a strong performance in this game. With this win, the Fighting Hawks improved their home record to 3-3 for the season, while Dakota State continued to face challenges, falling to 0-2 in their away games.

North Dakota entered the game with a 6-10 overall record and a recent form of 3-7 in their last ten games, including a loss in their most recent outing against the Nebraska Cornhuskers, where they were defeated 78-55. Their scoring average in the last five games showed a slight uptick, with the team averaging 75.0 points while allowing 71.4 points per game. This performance against Dakota State, however, was a significant improvement, highlighting their offensive capabilities.

Dakota State, on the other hand, has had a tough stretch, losing their last two games, including a recent defeat against the South Dakota Coyotes with a score of 80-71. Their overall record stands at 0-2 in away games, and they have averaged 66.5 points while allowing 74.0 points in their last two contests. The Trojans struggled to keep pace with the Fighting Hawks, ultimately falling short in this matchup.

The game was characterized by North Dakota's offensive efficiency, as they scored 88 points, significantly outpacing Dakota State's 56. Key moments included Anthony Doppler's layup and subsequent free throw, which helped extend North Dakota's lead in the second half. Reggie Thomas also made a notable contribution with a three-point shot that pushed the score to 88-52, solidifying the Fighting Hawks' dominance.

In terms of historical context, this matchup is notable as it reflects the ongoing rivalry between the two teams. Previous meetings have often been competitive, but North Dakota's performance in this game suggests a shift in momentum. The Fighting Hawks capitalized on their home advantage, which is evident in their improved home record.

Injury updates were not provided in the block, but both teams have faced challenges in maintaining a consistent lineup throughout the season. The absence of key players can often impact performance, and it will be interesting to see how both teams adjust moving forward.

Market expectations for this game, as priced by the betting provider, indicated a strong likelihood of a North Dakota victory, with a home win probability of 0.999. This reflects the general sentiment leading into the game, as North Dakota was seen as the favorite.

The conditions in the arena were conducive to a high-scoring game, and the Fighting Hawks took full advantage of their home court, demonstrating their ability to perform under pressure. Fans witnessed a mix of fast-paced play and strategic execution, making for an entertaining evening of basketball.

As the season progresses, North Dakota will look to build on this performance, while Dakota State will need to regroup and address their recent struggles. This game serves as a pivotal moment for both teams, highlighting the importance of home court advantage and the potential for improvement as they head deeper into the season.

Leaders

PointsMatthew Bothun15North Dakota Fighting Hawks
AssistsReggie Thomas3North Dakota Fighting Hawks
ReboundsMarley Curtis7North Dakota Fighting Hawks
PointsLukas Morgan13Dakota State Trojans
AssistsTyler Beckwith2Dakota State Trojans
ReboundsTyler Beckwith5Dakota State Trojans

Recent form

North Dakota Fighting Hawks

Last 10: 3-7Streak L168.4 scored · 75.8 allowed per game2-3 at home

L55-78at Nebraska CornhuskersDec 22
W90-88vs Winthrop EaglesDec 19
L66-69vs Western Illinois LeathernecksDec 13
W89-43vs Crown PolarsDec 11
L75-79vs Montana GrizzliesDec 7
L58-90at Idaho VandalsDec 4
L55-92at Hawai'i Rainbow WarriorsNov 29
W78-69at Western Illinois LeathernecksNov 24
L58-75vs Coastal Carolina ChanticleersNov 23
L60-75at Creighton BluejaysNov 20

Dakota State Trojans

Last 2: 0-2Streak L266.5 scored · 74 allowed per game0-2 away

L71-80at South Dakota CoyotesDec 18
L62-68at South Dakota State JackrabbitsNov 7

Standings

Team	Overall	Games behind	In conference
North Dakota State	27-8	-	14-2
St. Thomas	24-10	2	12-4
North Dakota	18-17	4	10-6
South Dakota	16-16	6	8-8
Omaha	16-17	6	8-8
Denver	15-17	7	8-8
South Dakota State	14-18	7	7-9
Oral Roberts	10-23	10	4-12
Kansas City	4-27	13	1-15

Box score

Stat	Dakota State Trojans	North Dakota Fighting Hawks
Field goals	17-40	32-67
Field goal %	43	48
Three-pointers	4-10	9-30
Three-point %	40	30
Free throws	18-29	15-20
Free throw %	62	75
Rebounds	30	36
Offensive rebounds	5	13
Defensive rebounds	25	23
Assists	10	13
Steals	6	10
Blocks	2	4
Turnovers	18	6
Team turnovers	0	0
Technical fouls	0	0
Technical fouls, total	0	0
Flagrant fouls	0	0
Points off turnovers	7	20
Fast-break points	7	4
Points in the paint	20	46
Fouls	18	20
Largest lead	0	36
Lead changes	0	0
Time in front	0	97

How the scoring went

1st Half31-47Desman Botts makes free throw 2 of 2
1st Half32-47Tyler Beckwith makes free throw 1 of 2
1st Half33-47Tyler Beckwith makes free throw 2 of 2
1st Half33-49Reggie Thomas makes layup
2nd Half35-49Lukas Morgan makes 8-foot floating jump shot
2nd Half35-51Josh Jones makes layup (Eli King assists)
2nd Half35-53Greyson Uelmen makes layup
2nd Half35-54Greyson Uelmen makes free throw 1 of 1
2nd Half38-54Ryan Beckwith makes 23-foot three point jumper (Lukas Morgan assists)
2nd Half39-54Aiden Jensen makes free throw 1 of 2
2nd Half39-57Zach Kraft makes 23-foot three point jumper (Reggie Thomas assists)
2nd Half41-57Desman Botts makes layup (Taine Mitchell assists)
2nd Half41-59Marley Curtis makes 3-foot dunk (Anthony Smith III assists)
2nd Half42-59Desman Botts makes free throw 2 of 2
2nd Half42-61Marley Curtis makes layup (Garrett Anderson assists)
2nd Half42-62Marley Curtis makes free throw 1 of 1
2nd Half43-62Lukas Morgan makes free throw 1 of 2
2nd Half43-64Garrett Anderson makes 0-foot tip in layup
2nd Half43-65Garrett Anderson makes free throw 1 of 2
2nd Half43-66Garrett Anderson makes free throw 2 of 2
2nd Half45-66Lukas Morgan makes 7-foot floating jump shot (Ryan Beckwith assists)
2nd Half45-68Anthony Smith III makes layup
2nd Half45-70Anthony Doppler makes layup
2nd Half45-71Karson Ouse makes free throw 1 of 2
2nd Half45-72Karson Ouse makes free throw 2 of 2
2nd Half47-72Tyler Beckwith makes 6-foot floating jump shot
2nd Half47-74Anthony Smith III makes 6-foot floating jump shot
2nd Half47-76Marley Curtis makes layup
2nd Half49-76Aiden Jensen makes layup (Tyler Beckwith assists)
2nd Half49-77Marley Curtis makes free throw 1 of 2
2nd Half50-77Tyler Beckwith makes free throw 2 of 2
2nd Half50-79Anthony Doppler makes 10-foot step back jumpshot
2nd Half50-81Anthony Doppler makes layup
2nd Half50-82Anthony Doppler makes free throw 1 of 1
2nd Half52-82Desman Botts makes 11-foot pullup jump shot
2nd Half52-84Wylee Delorme makes layup
2nd Half52-85Reggie Thomas makes free throw 2 of 2
2nd Half52-88Reggie Thomas makes 24-foot three point step back jumpshot
2nd Half54-88Kaleel Sutton-White makes 14-foot jumper
2nd Half56-88Kaleel Sutton-White makes layup

Win probability

Above the line favours North Dakota Fighting Hawks, below favours Dakota State Trojans.