BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – The North Dakota State men's basketball team led for more than 38 minutes, cruising to an 83-63 victory over Utah Valley on Thanksgiving afternoon to conclude three games in Birmingham.
 
Bison senior Jacksen Moni scored a season-high 32 points to lead all players. Tajavis Miller added 15 points for NDSU.
 
The Bison connected on 14-of-27 (52 percent) from three-point range and shot 55 percent overall for the contest.
 
NDSU improved to 5-4 with the win, and Utah Valley dropped to 4-3.
 
Moni hit a pair of three-pointers in the final minute of the first half, pushing the Bison advantage to 12 at 36-24 at halftime.
 
Utah Valley never trimmed the deficit under nine points in the second half. Moni scored 18 points in the second half, making a perfect 6-of-6 from the field, 2-of-2 from three-point range, and 4-of-4 at the free throw line.
 
NDSU made 49 three-pointers over the three-game stretch in Birmingham, an average of 16.3 per game. The single-game school record for three-pointers stood at 16 until Tuesday.
 
The Bison will play next at Weber State on Dec. 4.