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SIOUX FALLS, S.D. – The North Dakota State men's basketball team erased a 25-point halftime deficit to pull even in the final minute, but Oral Roberts guard Max Abmas made a free throw with 14.6 seconds remaining to give ORU the win in the Summit League Tournament championship game.
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It was NDSU's seventh championship game appearance in the past nine seasons. The Bison finished the season with a record of 15-12.
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Senior forward
Rocky Kreuser scored a career-high 34 points to lead the Bison comeback.
Tyree Eady added 15 points for NDSU, and
Sam Griesel finished with 6 points, 11 rebounds and 7 assists.
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The Bison led 10-9 early before the Golden Eagles exploded for a 16-2 run that featured 13 points from Kevin Obanor and four ORU three-pointers. ORU put together another 18-4 run to close the first half and led 45-20 at halftime.
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NDSU outscored ORU 52-30 in the second half, pulling even at 72-72 with 36 seconds remaining. Abmas made 1-of-2 free throws after a foul call with 14.6 seconds left. The Golden Eagles came up with a stop on NDSU's final possession and added two more free throws in the final seconds.
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ORU was the No. 4 seed in the Summit League Tournament bracket, while the Bison were the No. 3 seed.
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