It was a homecoming of sorts for Alabama forward Grant Nelson returning to his home state of North Dakota. The Fighting Hawks were looking to be spoilers, but the Crimson Tide held on for a 97-90 win on Wednesday night to improve their record to 9-2. Nelson was born in North Dakota and began his college career at North Dakota State (different school). He transferred to Alabama after the 2022-23 season. On Wednesday Nelson scored 23 points and pulled down 10 rebounds. Point guard Mark Sears also scored 23 points with nine of those points coming from three-point range. North Dakota had a great performance from Treyson Eaglestaff with 40 points on the night with eight three pointers made.
The Fighting Hawks led at halftime 38-35, and had the sixth-ranked Crimson Tide fearing an upset. Alabama outscored North Dakota 62-52 in the second half. After Eaglestaff opened the second half with consecutive three pointers to give them a 44-38 lead, Alabama would then go on a 12-3 run to take the lead at 50-47 with 15:51 remaining. Sears hit the clutch three to give Alabama the lead. The Crimson Tide would never trail again in the game, but North Dakota would tie the game twice. First time was with Eaglestaff hit another three to tie the game at 78 with 4:23 left in the game. That field goal capped off an 8-0 run by North Dakota.
With 2:15 remaining Eli King would make a three to tie the game at 85. Alabama would outscore North Dakota 12-5 to close out the game to get the win. Six of those final points for the Crimson Tide would be scored by Nelson. A loss by Alabama would have caused them to drop in next week’s rankings. In the game, Alabama shot 52% from the floor and was 11 of 34 on three point shots. Alabama will return home and host Kent State (8-2) this Sunday as SEC play inches closer. The game will be broadcast by the SEC Network and tip-off is at 12 p.m. Central.
Other scores around the SEC:
Vanderbilt 105, The Citadel 53
(14) Oklahoma 87, (24) Michigan 86
