FARGO, N.D. - Marshall Bjorklund had 21 points, six rebounds and three steals to lead North Dakota State to an 86-73 victory over Western Michigan in a Sears BracketBusters game Saturday, Feb. 18, before a crowd of 3,083 at the Bison Sports Arena.

Taylor Braun added 16 points, six rebounds and five assists for North Dakota State (17-10), and Lawrence Alexander finished with 16 points, six assists and five rebounds.

NDSU trailed 34-28 at halftime but started the second half on a 7-0 run and never trailed the rest of the way.  The Bison shot 68 percent from the floor after halftime.

Western Michigan (11-16) was within 61-57 with 5:50 left, but NDSU went on a 10-0 run sparked by a Braun tip-in and 3-pointer, and the Bison made 16 of their last 18 free throws.

Eric Carlson scored all 11 of his points in the second half for the Bison and Mike Felt added 11 points off the bench.

Mike Douglas led Western Michigan with 21 points and six assists and Matt Stainbrook, a 6-foot-9, 300-pound center, finished with 15 points, 10 rebounds and four assists.

North Dakota State is scheduled to host IUPUI at 7 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 23, and Western Illinois at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 25, in the final two regular season games of the year.