Oakland, Mich. 88, N. Dakota St. 81

Oakland, Mich. 88, N. Dakota St. 81

Published Feb. 21, 2010 1:47 a.m. ET

Johnathon Jones scored 24 points Saturday night as Oakland, Mich., clinched the Summit League regular-season championship with an 88-81 victory over North Dakota State.

Jones scored eight in a row midway through the second half to give the Golden Grizzlies (22-8, 16-1) the lead for good.

Derick Nelson had a double-double of 21 points and 14 rebounds, and Keith Benson scored 17 as Oakland improved to 26-1 in its last 27 home games.

Michael Tveidt's game-best 28 points led the Bison (10-16, 7-9). Eric Carlson added 14, Nate Zastrow 13 and Josh Vaughan 11.

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North Dakota State led 41-35 at halftime. Benson finally put Oakland ahead 49-48 with 13:08 to go. But the Bison went back up 53-49 before Jones scored eight straight points to make it 57-53 with 9:41 left and put the Golden Grizzlies ahead for good.

The Bison couldn't come closer than three after that.

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