JONESBORO, Ark. – The North Dakota State men's basketball team locked down defensively to earn a 56-43 victory over Jacksonville State on Wednesday afternoon inside First National Bank Arena. It was the fifth straight win for the Bison, who improved to 5-2 on the season.
 
NDSU's Damari Wheeler-Thomas was the lone player in the contest to score in double figures, finishing with 10 points and five rebounds. Trevian Carson and Tay Smith both added nine points for the Bison.
 
Bison sophomore point guard Andy Stefonowicz posted six assists and no turnovers.
 
NDSU took a 17-15 lead with nine minutes left in the first half as part of a 13-0 run that saw Jax State go scoreless for six minutes. The Bison never trailed again, pushing the margin to 20 at 48-28 midway through the second half.
 
Both teams took 50 shots in the game, with NDSU making 19 for 38 percent and Jax State making 13 for 26-percent shooting.
 
NDSU was plus-five in the turnover margin, forcing 15 Gamecock turnovers and committing only 10.
 
NDSU will play host Arkansas State on Friday at 2 p.m.