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MACOMB, Ill. – The North Dakota State men's basketball team trimmed a 13-point deficit to one late in the second half, but ultimately lost 82-74 at Western Illinois on Thursday night.
 
The Bison pulled within one at 63-62 when sophomore Jared Samuelson connected on all three free throws after being fouled beyond the arc with 2:44 remaining. Western Illinois scored the next eight points to go up 71-62 with 1:17 left.
 
WIU freshman Isaac Johnson led all players with a season-high 29 points. Senior guard Paul Miller led the Bison with 27 points.
 
WIU led 42-29 with 16:23 to play before NDSU battled back to close the gap. The Bison had won 10 straight over the Leathernecks before Thursday's result.
 
Sophomore Tyson Ward scored 14 points for NDSU, and sophomore Deng Geu added eight points and eight rebounds. Ward, Geu and A.J. Jacobson fouled out of the contest as NDSU was called for 29 fouls in the game.
 
WIU made 33-of-41 (80 percent) at the free throw line.
 
The Bison conclude the regular season with a 1 p.m. game at Omaha on Saturday.