GRAND FORKS, N.D. – The Alabama Crimson Tide men's basketball team avoided disaster on Wednesday night, eking out a 97-90 victory against the North Dakota Fighting Hawks in what turned out to be a far more competitive game than anticipated. The 6th-ranked Crimson Tide were expected to dominate their Summit League opponent but faced stiff resistance from the feisty Fighting Hawks, who managed to lead at halftime.
This contest was particularly special for Grant Nelson, Alabama’s forward and Devils Lake native, who returned to his home state for the game. Despite the win, Nelson suggested Alabama did not take the game seriously enough. “We played awful, pretty much the whole game,” he said. “We came in, we didn’t take these guys seriously.”
Going against significant odds, North Dakota entered the night as 24.5-point underdogs, according to ESPN Bet. They defied those odds by holding onto leads throughout the game and tying it at 85-85 with just under two minutes left. Treysen Eaglestaff was the standout performer for the Fighting Hawks, scoring 40 points, which is the highest point total against Alabama this season and marking him as the first mid-major player since 2012 to achieve such a feat against a team ranked in the top 10 of the AP poll.
The game itself showcased the unpredictable nature of college basketball. Alabama trailed 38-35 at halftime, primarily due to their sloppy play, evident from their 13 first-half turnovers. Eaglestaff's shooting kept North Dakota competitive, including eight three-pointers on 18 attempts and leading the team with exceptional skill throughout the night. “I give North Dakota credit; they wanted this game,” said Alabama head coach Nate Oats, reflecting on the Dakota squad's impressive fight.
After struggling offensively in the first half, Alabama made necessary adjustments, starting the second half strong with an 11-0 run, allowing them to regain the lead. Despite their resurgence, Alabama could never fully shake off North Dakota, who continued to challenge them right until the final moments.
After consecutive free throws from Nelson and Labaron Philon, the Tide managed to maintain their lead. Yet, Eaglestaff wasn’t going to let his team go down without putting up a fight. He cut the deficit to three points with under ten seconds left, keeping the tension palpable among Alabama fans.
Mark Sears also contributed significantly to Alabama's effort, matching Nelson’s 23 points. The game was marked by moments of tension as both teams battled to control the pace and flow. The Tide's defense struggled, particularly with matchups against Eaglestaff, which proved frustrating for the coaching staff.
The crowd at the Betty Engelstad Sioux Center—over 3,000 strong—created an electric atmosphere, supporting the Fighting Hawks. Just as Alabama was poised to celebrate what should have been a comfortable road victory, the fans were rewarded with thrilling basketball, giving North Dakota the experience of competing closely against one of college basketball's elite.
Looking closely at the statistics, Alabama improved to 9-2 overall with the victory and will return home after this game. They seek to iron out their inconsistencies as they prepare for the rigorous SEC schedule. On the other hand, the Fighting Hawks, now standing at 4-9, showed resilience and talent, highlighting the quality players like Eaglestaff bring to the table.
For Grant Nelson, this game was not just another win; it was a return to his roots, illustrating the personal stakes involved for players who compete on such significant stages. “I knew he was [Eaglestaff] was a great player. Our scouting report was pretty much around him,” he said, acknowledging the efficacy of his opponent.
The game ended up serving as both a wake-up call for Alabama and as recognition for North Dakota’s capabilities. With two more non-conference games set before the Crimson Tide enters league play, coach Nate Oats emphasized the need for his team to bolster its performance, particularly on defense. “We’re going to have to do a lot worse moving forward than we did tonight on defense,” he acknowledged post-game.
Fans and analysts alike will watch closely as the Crimson Tide tighten up their play and attempt to capitalize on the lessons learned from this narrow escape against the Fighting Hawks. The excitement and unpredictability of college basketball continue to shine, reminding teams like Alabama of the challenge posed by mid-major programs presumed to be lesser opponents.
