GRAND FORKS, N.D. — Grant Nelson had 23 points and 10 rebounds in his return to his home state and No. 6 Alabama overcame Treysen Eaglestaff’s big night to beat North Dakota 97-90 on Wednesday night.

Mark Sears had 23 points and Labaron Philon added 16 for the Crimson Tide (9-2). Alabama recovered from a sloppy start, shooting 59% and only committing one turnover in the second half.

Alabama coach Nate Oats planned the game as a favor to Nelson, who grew up 90 minutes away in Devils Lake and is playing his second season with the Crimson Tide after transferring from North Dakota State.

Eaglestaff topped Nelson’s home game with a career-high 40 points and eight 3-pointers, while the 24 1/2-point underdog Fighting Hawks (4-9) won the game the rest of the way.

Alabama had 13 turnovers in the first half and missed nine of its first 12 shots. The Hawks led for 17 of the first 20 minutes, with Amar Kuljuhovic and Eaglestaff hitting back-to-back 3s to build a nine-point lead before the Tide cut it to 38-35 at halftime.

Takeaways

Alabama: Oats said in his postgame TV interview that it doesn’t hurt to face some adversity on the road. He almost got more than he bargained for.

North Dakota: The Hawks are 0-11 against ranked opponents since moving up to Division I in 2008-09.

Key moment

Nelson’s inside basket and two free throws made it 89-85 after North Dakota tied it, and his rebound of Mark Sears’ 3 had the Tide tie the game at the free throw line.

Key statistics

Eaglestaff was 15 of 30 from the field, including 8 of 18 on 3s.

Next

Alabama hosts Kent State on Sunday. North Dakota hosts Division II South Dakota Mines on Friday.

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