BAKERSFIELD, Calif. – The North Dakota State University men's basketball team won 80-69 at Cal State Bakersfield on Thursday evening for its eighth win in the last nine games.
 
NDSU improved to 8-3 on the season.
 
The Bison used a 20-2 run in the first half to go from down 23-19 to leading 39-25 with just under a minute left before halftime. NDSU led 40-30 at the break.
 
The Bison maintained a lead of at least six points for the entire second half.
 
NDSU racked up 21 offensive rebounds in the game, leading to 28 second-chance points. Damari Wheeler-Thomas led the Bison with 21 points, going 14-for-18 at the free throw line. Markhi Strickland scored 15, and Andy Stefonowicz added 13 for NDSU.
 
Treyson Anderson finished with 11 points and nine rebounds for a near double-double.
 
NDSU limited the Roadrunners to 37.5-percent shooting and forced 16 turnovers in the contest.
 
The Bison will travel to Des Moines, Iowa, next to play Drake on Saturday, with the game set for 1 p.m. on ESPN+.