On a night filled with unexpected thrills and star performances, the No. 6 Alabama Crimson Tide narrowly defeated North Dakota, 97-90, at the Betty Engelstad Sioux Center on December 18, 2023. This matchup was more than just another game; it marked the return of Grant Nelson, a native of Devils Lake, North Dakota, back to his home state. Surrounded by friends and family, Nelson contributed significantly to Alabama's victory, scoring 23 points and grabbing 10 rebounds.
The game began with North Dakota taking the Crimson Tide by surprise. Despite being sizable underdogs, the Fighting Hawks showcased their skill, leading 38-35 at halftime. North Dakota guard Treysen Eaglestaff was phenomenal, scoring 14 points before the break, demonstrating his talent and tenacity against the top-ranked team.
Alabama struggled early, committing 13 turnovers and hitting only 28% of their shots in the first half. Head Coach Nate Oats expressed his concern postgame, acknowledging the hurdle posed by North Dakota. "North Dakota obviously came ready to play… I thought our guys would be ready," Oats said. His team faced clear adversity, but things would begin to turn around shortly after halftime.
With renewed focus, Alabama shot 59% from the field and committed just one turnover during the second half. A pivotal moment came with Alabama launching on a 13-0 run, pulling ahead to 58-47. Despite their progress, the Tide struggled to contain Eaglestaff who had his eyes set on the record books. Eaglestaff finished the night with 40 points, successfully hitting 15 of 30 shots from the field, including 8 of 18 from beyond the arc.
Throughout the second half, Eaglestaff's brilliance rarely waned. He tirelessly battled against Alabama's defense, even as the game remained intensely contested. At one point, the game was tied at 85 points with just under two minutes left. With the crowd roaring, Grant Nelson stepped up, hitting a jumper to give Alabama the lead for good, followed by important free throws down the stretch.
“We came in, we didn’t take these guys as serious,” Nelson admitted after the game. “It’s great to get back to these guys. That was a great team we played tonight.” His return was not just about individual performance but represented the emotional weight of playing for his home crowd.
Eaglestaff’s impressive night prompted reflections from his coach, Paul Sather. He remarked, "It's surreal, it's folklore. For him to play like this on such a significant stage... it means so much for him and the people around here." Eaglestaff's performance not only earned him individual accolades but also left lasting memories for North Dakota fans, who witnessed history against one of the nation’s top teams.
The electric atmosphere at the Betty was palpable, with sell-out crowds cheering on their Hawks up to the final buzzer. Many recalled legendary local players and moments, but this encounter against Alabama certainly raised the standard. Fans celebrated each point scored by Eaglestaff, who became the first mid-major player to record 40 points against a top-10 team since 2012, according to ESPN data.
Despite the loss, Eaglestaff’s efforts signaled promise for the Fighting Hawks, struggling with just four wins this season. Afterward, he humbly stated, "Those are a lot of what-ifs,” indicating his desire to focus on continual improvement rather than resting on his laurels.
Meanwhile, Alabama left the arena knowing they had dodged what could have been one of collegiate basketball's biggest upsets this season. Looking forward, the Tide will host Kent State next, aiming to correct their defensive missteps and fine-tune their game heading for tougher competition as the SEC slate approaches.
This matchup showcased not only the competitive spirit of college basketball but the deep roots both teams have within the local community. The stories of Nelson and Eaglestaff serve as reminders of what makes these matchups meaningful. For the players, the fans, and those who witnessed the thrilling match, memories of this game will linger long after the final score was recorded.
