Bison Shoot 80 Percent in First Half to Blow Out Coyotes, 92-66

VERMILLION, S.D. - Marshall Bjorklund scored a season-high 23 points and grabbed eight rebounds to lead North Dakota State to a 92-66 win over South Dakota in Summit League men's basketball Thursday, Jan. 3.

Bjorklund had back-to-back layups on an 8-0 run to open the game and North Dakota State never looked back.  The Bison shot 21-for-26 in the first half and led 52-26 at intermission.

Taylor Braun scored 14 of his 19 points in the first half for the Bison (12-3, 3-0), Mike Felt had 15 points while hitting five 3-pointers and Jordan Aaberg had 12 points.

Casey Kasperbauer led South Dakota (6-10, 2-2) with 15 points by hitting five 3-pointers and Brandon Bos scored 14 points.

It was the third straight 20-point game for Bjorklund, who made his first eight shots to extend his streak to 24 in a row before missing early in the second half.  The NCAA record is 28 by NDSU's Lance Berwald in 1984.

NDSU had a 32-20 advantage in total rebounds and outscored USD 46-22 in the paint while shooting a season-high 63.8 percent overall.  The Bison also had a season-high 20 assists.

North Dakota State plays Kansas City at 5:15 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 5, at Municipal Auditorium in Kansas City, Mo.  The Kangaroos are 4-11 overall and 1-3 in The Summit League after Thursday's 77-61 loss to South Dakota State.