North Dakota State Edges St. Thomas in Close Contest
Saturday, January 17, 2026, 2:00 PM ET · Scheels Center
North Dakota State Bison 68, St. Thomas Tommies 65, 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 St. Thomas Tommies vs North Dakota State Bison?
North Dakota State Bison beat St. Thomas Tommies 68-65 at Scheels Center on January 17, 2026.
Who was favored in St. Thomas Tommies vs North Dakota State Bison?
North Dakota State Bison were the favorite at DraftKings, moneyline -142 (about 59% implied). The favorite won.
In a tightly contested matchup, the North Dakota State Bison narrowly defeated the St. Thomas Tommies with a final score of 68-65. This victory marked a significant win for the Bison, who have shown impressive form recently, particularly at their home venue, the Scheels Center.
North Dakota State entered the game with a home record of 16-5 and had been on a five-game winning streak, showcasing their offensive prowess by averaging 83.3 points scored in their last ten games while allowing 73.2 points. Their recent form included victories against teams like the South Dakota State Jackrabbits, which they defeated 76-65 just two days prior to this matchup. The Bison's strong home performance, with a record of 4-1 in their last five home games, highlighted their ability to capitalize on home-court advantage.
On the other side, the St. Thomas Tommies brought a solid away record of 15-5 into the game, riding a remarkable nine-game winning streak. They averaged 88.3 points scored and allowed 72.4 points in their last ten games, indicating a high-scoring offense. Their most recent game saw them triumph over the North Dakota Fighting Hawks with a score of 91-80, further emphasizing their offensive capabilities.
This matchup was particularly interesting due to the previous meetings between the two teams, where North Dakota State had lost both encounters in the 2025 season, with scores of 85-89 and 62-79. The Bison's determination to break that streak added an extra layer of intensity to this game.
In terms of injuries, the block did not provide specific details, but the overall health of both teams can often play a crucial role in determining the outcome of such close games.
The betting market, as provided by DraftKings, had North Dakota State favored by 2.5 points, with a total set at 151.5. The odds indicated a competitive matchup, reflecting the close nature of the teams' performances leading up to the game.
Conditions in the Scheels Center were conducive to a high-paced game, and both teams took advantage of the opportunity to showcase their offensive skills. The Bison's scoring was bolstered by key plays in the second half, including a critical driving layup by Damari Wheeler-Thomas that helped secure their lead late in the game.
As the game unfolded, viewers witnessed several pivotal moments, including a string of three-pointers that kept the Tommies within striking distance. However, the Bison's ability to execute under pressure ultimately allowed them to hold onto their slim lead and clinch the victory.
With this win, North Dakota State improved their standing and demonstrated their resilience, while St. Thomas, despite the loss, continued to show they are a formidable opponent in the league.
Odds
| Book | Spread | Total | Moneyline |
|---|---|---|---|
| DraftKings | NDSU -2.5 | 151.5 o -105 / u -115 | St. Thomas Tommies +120 · North Dakota State Bison -142 |
Leaders
- PointsTrevian Carson16North Dakota State Bison
- AssistsAndy Stefonowicz4North Dakota State Bison
- ReboundsTreyson Anderson9North Dakota State Bison
- PointsNolan Minessale16St. Thomas Tommies
- AssistsNolan Minessale6St. Thomas Tommies
- ReboundsNick Janowski5St. Thomas Tommies
Recent form
North Dakota State Bison
Last 10: 8-2Streak W583.3 scored · 73.2 allowed per game4-1 at home
- W76-65vs South Dakota State JackrabbitsJan 15
- W78-76at Omaha MavericksJan 10
- W97-73at Kansas City RoosJan 9
- W79-77vs Oral Roberts Golden EaglesJan 3
- W84-61vs South Dakota CoyotesDec 31
- L66-76at UTEP MinersDec 23
- L73-74vs UC Irvine AnteatersDec 22
- W101-67vs Crookston (MN) Golden EaglesDec 16
- W99-94at Drake BulldogsDec 13
- W80-69at Cal State Bakersfield RoadrunnersDec 12
St. Thomas Tommies
Last 10: 9-1Streak W988.3 scored · 72.4 allowed per game3-1 away
- W91-80at North Dakota Fighting HawksJan 16
- W82-71at Oral Roberts Golden EaglesJan 11
- W99-86vs South Dakota CoyotesJan 8
- W92-88vs Denver PioneersJan 4
- W105-59vs North Central RamsDec 28
- W92-78vs UC Riverside HighlandersDec 21
- W80-59at UNC Asheville BulldogsDec 13
- W80-56vs Saint John's (MN) JohnniesDec 12
- W88-65vs Weber State WildcatsDec 7
- L74-82at Montana State BobcatsDec 4
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 | St. Thomas Tommies | North Dakota State Bison |
|---|---|---|
| Field goals | 22-52 | 25-65 |
| Field goal % | 42 | 38 |
| Three-pointers | 10-31 | 8-26 |
| Three-point % | 32 | 31 |
| Free throws | 11-17 | 10-15 |
| Free throw % | 65 | 67 |
| Rebounds | 33 | 40 |
| Offensive rebounds | 6 | 15 |
| Defensive rebounds | 27 | 25 |
| Assists | 14 | 14 |
| Steals | 6 | 9 |
| Blocks | 4 | 3 |
| Turnovers | 15 | 13 |
| Team turnovers | 1 | 1 |
| Technical fouls | 0 | 0 |
| Technical fouls, total | 0 | 0 |
| Flagrant fouls | 0 | 0 |
| Points off turnovers | 12 | 21 |
| Fast-break points | 10 | 6 |
| Points in the paint | 20 | 34 |
| Fouls | 14 | 18 |
| Largest lead | 5 | 9 |
| Lead changes | 6 | 6 |
| Time in front | 13 | 74 |
How the scoring went
- 1st Half30-29Austin Herro makes 18-foot jumper
- 1st Half32-29Austin Herro makes layup
- 1st Half33-29Nolan Minessale makes free throw 1 of 2
- 1st Half34-29Nolan Minessale makes free throw 2 of 2
- 1st Half34-30Damari Wheeler-Thomas makes free throw 1 of 2
- 1st Half34-31Damari Wheeler-Thomas makes free throw 2 of 2
- 1st Half34-34Trevian Carson makes 24-foot three point jumper (Riley Massey assists)
- 1st Half35-34Isaiah Johnson-Arigu makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half37-34Nolan Minessale makes layup (Austin Herro assists)
- 2nd Half37-35Treyson Anderson makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half37-36Treyson Anderson makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half38-36Nolan Minessale makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half38-38Treyson Anderson makes 2-foot dunk
- 2nd Half38-39Trevian Carson makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half38-40Trevian Carson makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half38-43Trevian Carson makes 23-foot three point jumper (Noah Feddersen assists)
- 2nd Half41-43Isaiah Johnson-Arigu makes 24-foot three point jumper (Carter Bjerke assists)
- 2nd Half41-45Markhi Strickland makes 6-foot jumper
- 2nd Half42-45Isaiah Johnson-Arigu makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half42-48Tay Smith makes 25-foot three point jumper (Trevian Carson assists)
- 2nd Half42-50Treyson Anderson makes layup
- 2nd Half45-50Isaiah Johnson-Arigu makes 24-foot three point jumper (Nolan Minessale assists)
- 2nd Half47-50Jermaine Coleman makes driving layup (Nolan Minessale assists)
- 2nd Half50-50Nolan Minessale makes 25-foot three point jumper (Isaiah Johnson-Arigu assists)
- 2nd Half50-52Emil Skytta makes layup (Andy Stefonowicz assists)
- 2nd Half50-53Emil Skytta makes free throw 1 of 1
- 2nd Half52-53Austin Herro makes 9-foot jumper
- 2nd Half52-55Emil Skytta makes layup (Noah Feddersen assists)
- 2nd Half52-57Noah Feddersen makes layup
- 2nd Half52-59Treyson Anderson makes layup
- 2nd Half52-61Emil Skytta makes layup (Damari Wheeler-Thomas assists)
- 2nd Half55-61Nick Janowski makes 24-foot three point jumper (Austin Herro assists)
- 2nd Half55-63Noah Feddersen makes 3-foot dunk (Andy Stefonowicz assists)
- 2nd Half58-63Carter Bjerke makes 24-foot three point jumper (Nolan Minessale assists)
- 2nd Half58-66Trevian Carson makes 24-foot three point jumper (Markhi Strickland assists)
- 2nd Half61-66Nick Janowski makes 23-foot three point jumper (Austin Herro assists)
- 2nd Half62-66Nolan Minessale makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half63-66Nolan Minessale makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half63-68Damari Wheeler-Thomas makes driving layup
- 2nd Half65-68Austin Herro makes layup (Nolan Minessale assists)
Win probability
Above the line favours North Dakota State Bison, below favours St. Thomas Tommies.
Venue
- Scheels CenterFargo, ND
- Attendance2954
- OfficialsBrian McAnally, Geoff Vejsicky, Tariq Lucas
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