SIOUX FALLS, S.D. — Ran into a North Dakota State fan in the concourse of the Denny Sanford Premier Center on Monday afternoon between sessions of the Summit League tournament.
"It'd be nice to win tonight," he said.
He was referring to the semifinal men's basketball matchup between NDSU and South Dakota State.
"The Jackrabbits are beating us at everything lately."
He wasn't wrong. But he need not have worried.
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The Bison played their best game of the season in the biggest moment, smacking the Jackrabbits 89-79 in front a large, loud and partisan crowd.
It was enough to get stone-faced coach Dave Richman to temporarily transform into Rodney Dangerfield at the postgame press conference.
"I was just in the locker room and crushed the guys, undressed them the way we handled that press down the stretch. It's really disappointing," a straight-faced, deadpan Richman said.
Pause.
"That's a joke."
Laughter.
It was a self-deprecating shot at himself after he tore apart his team after a home win over Western Illinois to end the regular season.
While Oral Roberts coach Paul Mills was whining before the tournament about the unfair advantage afforded SDSU because the tournament is in Sioux Falls, the Bison embraced the scene and did what they do almost every year in the conference tournament.
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Grind and win. Richman is 18-5 in the league tournament in his nine years. He's led the Bison to the conference title game five straight years and seven in nine.
The reward for the rout is another berth in the championship game, with a spot in the NCAA tournament on the line.
"This tells you the magnitude of this win for us. This is a terrific win in a hostile environment," Richman said. "I thought our guys, besides a stretch in the first half, were men. Very pleased in an atmosphere that was just terrific to play in."
It's about time an NDSU team stepped up against the Jacks.
The Dakota Marker and Football Championship Subdivision national title trophies reside in Brookings, S.D., the former having apparently found a semi-permanent home for now. Advantage, SDSU.
The Jackrabbits women's basketball team has won 37 of the last 39 games against the Bison and 19 in a row since 2015. Big advantage, SDSU.
SDSU beat the Bison in a wrestling dual this year, the second straight time that's happened after a long period of NDSU domination. Advantage, SDSU.
The Jacks volleyball team has won four straight matches over the Bison, the longest such streak in 17 years. Advantage, SDSU.
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SDSU has beat the Bison seven games in a row in softball. Advantage, SDSU.
We're likely missing a sport or two, but you get the idea.
The Jackrabbits were owning their rivalry with the Bison in more sports than not.
The one that grated the most, of course, was football. The Jackrabbits have won four straight including the big one in Frisco, Texas. For the first time, the Bison are chasing the Jackrabbits on the football field.
Richman's team was itself losers to the Jacks in 12 of 15 games previous to Monday night. This was their chance to recover the Bison Pride banner.
They did, thanks to the usual suspects and a couple of youngsters who provided the needed supporting cast. Advantage, NDSU.
Grant Nelson was again spectacular and dominant with 20 points and 22 rebounds. Boden Skunberg continued to show he's got the stuff that matters, scoring 22 points that included 4 of 8 from 3-point range. Andrew Morgan and his mullet were engaged and solid for the second straight game, getting 14 points that including making 6 of 7 free throws.
For the second straight night, Nelson showed why NBA scouts are sitting courtside.
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"It's crazy," Skunberg said. "I think he had two less rebounds than the whole South Dakota team. I mean, he's different. He's a beast. I'm glad he's on my team."
As for the supporting cast, true freshman point guard Damari Wheeler-Thomas was excellent. He was 7 of 10 from the floor, finally finding a consistent stroke to contribute 17 points. And sophomore Jacari White, who's struggled to find his shot most of the season, had 8 points that included a couple of key 3-pointers.
"Damari was hitting his shots tonight, but maybe what you don't see is how much work he was putting in on the defensive end guarding Zeke Mayo," Skunberg said. "He did a great job. He was cramping the whole time but he battled through it. He's a dog."
It's what the Bison needed against their biggest rival. It led to a victory, which have been in short supply lately against the Jackrabbits.
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