BROOKINGS, S.D.--Mike Nelson scored a game-high 24 points and North Dakota State shot 60 percent from the floor to defeat South Dakota State 78-60 in college men's basketball Saturday, Feb. 3, before a crowd of 4,131 at Frost Arena.

The Bison improved to 14-6 with their sixth straight win.  It was NDSU's first win in Frost Arena since February 2001.

North Dakota State shot 64 percent in the first half and pulled away with a 14-2 run over five minutes in the middle of the period.

Nelson's 3-pointer and layup, and a free throw and jumper by Ben Woodside made it 18-13 North Dakota State, and the Bison stretched the lead to 11 with three straight buckets from Brett Winkelman.

NDSU led by as many as 14 points before South Dakota State (5-17) closed the half on an 8-0 run.

Mackenzie Casey made three field goals in the last 1:11 of the period, including a 3-pointer at the buzzer that pulled the Jackrabbits within 38-33 at halftime.

The Jacks got within three after the break with two field goals from Matt Cadwell that brought SDSU as close as 40-37, but the Bison got baskets from Austin Pennick and Nelson to go up 50-41 and the Jacks were never closer than five the rest of the way.

NDSU put four players in double-figures.  Winkelman finished with 21, Woodside had 17 and Andre Smith scored 12.

The Bison finished with a 34-31 rebounding advantage, led by Sam Sussenguth's eight and Smith's seven.

Kai Williams scored 17 points and grabbed nine rebounds for South Dakota State, Casey finished with 10 poins, and Michael Loney had a game-high 11 rebounds.

North Dakota State continues its five-game road stretch at IPFW next Thursday, Feb. 8, and at New Jersey Tech next Saturday, Feb. 10.