OMAHA, Neb. (AP) Taylor Braun hit everything from reverse layups in traffic to deep 3-pointers to score 31 points with a career-high 15 rebounds in North Dakota State's 75-59 defeat of Nebraska-Omaha on Saturday.
Braun hit 12 of 16 shots - including 4 of 5 from deep - in his fourth 30-plus scoring game this season. The pyrotechnics lifted the Bison (20-6, 9-2 Summit League) to their first back-to-back 20-win seasons since 1995-96 and 1996-97.
The first half was hotly contested with five ties and 11 lead changes. A Braun 3-pointer pulled NDSU into the lead for good at 30-28 just before the half. Lawrence Alexander added 11 points and TrayVonn Wright 10 for the Bison.
John Karhoff led the cold-shooting Mavericks (31.7 percent) with 16 points.
North Dakota State outscored Omaha (15-11, 4-6) 36-26 in the paint and 19-14 off turnovers - significantly 17-4 off turnovers after halftime.
