North Dakota opens tourney with 77-59 win over Bowling Green
FORT MEYERS, Fla. (AP) Quinton Hooker pumped in 25 points and North Dakota, playing for the first time with the nickname ''Fighting Hawks,'' cruised past Bowling Green, 77-59, in the first round of the Florida Gulf Coast Classic Saturday.
After a three-year search, the University of North Dakota announced Wednesday it would adopt ''Fighting Hawks'' as its nickname. The school dropped its previous nickname, ''Fighting Sioux'' at the request of the NCAA in 2012. The new nickname edged ''Roughriders'' in an online vote.
Adam McDermott connected on 5 of 6 from beyond the arc and added 17 points for North Dakota (2-1).
Spencer Parker scored 16 points and grabbed 12 rebounds to lead Bowling Green (1-2). Zach Denny added 12 points and Antwon Lillard added another 11.
The Fighting Hawks will play host Florida Gulf Coast Sunday while Bowling Green plays Youngstown State.
