IN A high-scoring encounter, the Alabama Crimson Tide did enough to get past the North Dakota Fighting Hawks by seven points in the NCAAM basketball action.

The Crimson Tide took on the Fighting Hawks at Betty Engelstad Sioux Center on Thursday morning, in a clash that was set to highlight the impressive talent across the two rosters. Alabama was certainly favourites based on form alone, having won nine of its 11 encounters, while North Dakota had secured just four wins from 13 games.

Despite the expected outcome, the Crimson Tide got off to a sluggish start, allowing the opposition to get the jump on them. At the main break, North Dakota led by three points and was looking a solid chance of pulling off the upset. However, Alabama came home strong in the second half, tidying up its game to commit just one turnover in the second half en route to a seven-point win.

With that in mind, Rookie Me Central will be casting an eye over how the key players performed in the match, as some of the NCAAM’s best and brightest display their craft on a nightly basis.

Alabama Crimson Tide (97) def. North Dakota Fighting Hawks (90)

Alabama

#1 Mark Sears

The ‘Bama point guard was massive in helping turn the tide of the match in the second half with his orchestration of the team’s offence. Alabama committed just one turnover in the second half, and it was Sears’ composure that ensured this was the case. He made the right decision seemingly every time he had the ball in hand and was instrumental in getting his team over the line. Sears posted 23 points, three rebounds and five assists in the win, shooting 7/14 from the field, 3/7 from behind the arc and 6/8 from the charity stripe in a mature performance.

#4 Grant Nelson

It was an emphatic showing from the Alabama Senior, who posted a double-double in a physical display in the win over North Dakota on Thursday. The forward was one of the most influential factors in helping the Crimson Tide turn their fortunes around in the second half, proving a serious presence in the paint and having some plays that injected plenty of energy into his team. Nelson posted 23 points on an efficient 9/14 shooting from the field, doing most of his scoring close to the basket as he timed his rolls to the rim perfectly. On the glass, the Senior did not shy away from putting an early body on the opposition, and it helped him pull down 10 boards for the match. He was also an extremely forceful defender in the paint, swatting three shots to truly make his presence known.

North Dakota

#4 Dariyus Woodson

Woodson made a strong impact off the bench, making the most of his court time and helping give the Fighting Hawks a different look in offensive sets, having relied on his teammate for much of the contest. The Junior forward is always looking to create off the bench, averaging 12 points per game and did so again with an energetic showing against Alabama. He posted 15 points and four rebounds in a valiant display to try and get his team to an upset win.

#52 Treysen Eaglestaff

It was a performance that was worthy of a win, Eaglestaff was far and away the best individual performer in the match, and almost dragged his side over the line. He was simply electric on the offensive end, putting North Dakota on his back and almost carrying the team to victory. The Alabama defence fought hard to try and contain the Junior guard, but he was getting to his spots far too easily, showing an innate ability to score in isolation. For the match, he scored 40 of his team’s 90 points on 15/30 shooting from the field and knocking down eight triples in the process. Eaglestaff could not have done much more on the offensive end and was the standout of the contest.