Hunter leads North Dakota State over South Dakota 84-79

Jan 6, 2018, 10:19 pm

VERMILLION, S.D. -- Cameron Hunter scored a career-best 35 points to lead North Dakota State in an 84-79 win over South Dakota in Summit League action on Saturday.

Hunter was 9 of 12 from the field, made all five from distance and was 12 of 14 from the line for the Bison (9-7, 1-1) who pick up their first Summit League win. Paul Miller added 24 points with six rebounds and six assists.

The Bison struggled early and were down 28-23 with 5:51 left in the half but a 15-2 run with Hunter, Miller and Chris Quayle combining for five-straight 3-pointers pushed the team into a 38-30 lead with 3:03 to go before the break.

North Dakota State led through most of the second half but fell behind to trail 76-75 with 2:43 left. Miller and Spencer Eliason answered with a pair of layups and Hunter drained five free throws in the stretch to keep the Bison on top.

Matt Mooney scored 23 points -- 5 of 13 from distance -- with four steals to lead the Coyotes (14-5, 2-1).