North Dakota State defeats Western Michigan 83-74

Nov 20, 2013, 09:33 pm

KALAMAZOO, Mich. -- Taylor Braun scored 23 points and Marshall Bjorklund added 18 as North Dakota State put away Western Michigan 83-74 Wednesday night.

The Bison (2-2) shot 58.5 percent from the field and used an early 9-0 run fueled by two 3-pointers from TrayVonn Wright and a triple from Braun to propel into the lead for good as they led 40-31 at halftime.

Western Michigan (3-2) trailed by double digits for most of the second half before cutting the lead to nine on a David Brown layup. North Dakota State sank their next eight free throws to close the game. Brown finished with 27 points for the Broncos, and Shayne Whittington and Connar Taya each had 16.

Braun was 3 of 6 beyond the arc and grabbed a team-high six rebounds. He was one of four Bison players to score in double figures as Wright had 16 and Lawrence Alexander added 10.