GRAND FORKS – Brian Lee Rivers announced Alabama’s first four starters over the public address system Wednesday night at the Betty Engelstad Sioux Center.

Then he paused for about 10 seconds.

The Alabama players began jumping and waving their arms. The area behind the bench — about 300 fans from the Devils Lake area wearing Crimson Tide gear — roared. Even the UND fans stood and cheered.

They all knew what was coming next: the 6-foot-2 forward from Devils Lake, North Dakota.

Grant Nelson, a fifth-grader at Alabama, returned to his home state with the sixth-ranked team in the country to face UND in a unique game engineered by Crimson Tide coach Nate Oats.

Nelson also delivered for the fans.

He scored 23 points and grabbed a team-high 10 rebounds, helping Alabama escape a challenge from UND with a 97-90 win.

“I just felt so much love,” Nelson said. “It’s great to play in front of these people who supported me. I’m very grateful for this experience, for the coaching staff for planning this game and just giving these guys a show tonight.”

Nelson came through when the game was on the line.

Thanks to Treyson Eaglestaff’s 40-point night, UND (4-9) was surprisingly tied 85-85 against Alabama with less than two minutes left.

Nelson took over. He hit a jumper, grabbed a defensive rebound, drew a foul, hit two free throws and grabbed another defensive rebound to finally put the Crimson Tide under control.

“I thought Grant was very good most of the game,” Oats said. “I thought he was ready to play. He had a convincing dunk early in the first half. I thought he made some big blocks, had some tough rebounds, went to the free throw line, made his free throws, made it.” The rim was pretty well made. I thought he had a stabilizing influence.

Nelson, who made 9 of 10 field goals from inside the 3-point arc, finished one point shy of his career high at Alabama.

He had 24 points in Alabama’s NCAA Tournament Sweet 16 win over North Carolina last year. The Crimson Tide reached the Final Four.

Nelson had plenty of success in “The Betty” during his three seasons at North Dakota State. On his final trip to Grand Forks, he scored a career-high 36 points.

“He’s a very good player,” Oats said. “Since he’s been here, he’s had a stabilizing influence on us. Hopefully he can survive here and continue to play well in SEC play.”

Nelson said he didn’t have much time for friends and family on the trip.

Alabama arrived in Grand Forks on Tuesday evening. A training session was held at the Hyslop Sports Center before returning to the Olive Ann Hotel for the night.

On Wednesday, the Crimson Tide held a closed-door shootout at The Betty.

As Nelson walked to the court to warm up, he saw some familiar faces and stopped to greet each other and take photos.

“I was connected to the team most of the day,” Nelson said.

After the game, he returned to the field to take a group photo.

“The people here have really welcomed Grant home,” Oats said.

After the game, UND coach Paul Sather spoke to Nelson via a handshake.

They go back a long way.

When Sather was the head coach at Division-II Northern State, he tried to recruit Nelson and offered him a scholarship. After Sather got the head coaching job at UND, he tried to recruit Nelson to Grand Forks.

Nelson chose NDSU, his only other Division I offer.

“I’m really proud of him,” Sather said. “I think people think this was an easy path for him. I remember him grinning as a freshman at North Dakota State. He doesn’t handle that adversity particularly well, and he struggled there. He did a great job there.

“The first year at Alabama wasn’t just easy and perfect. He was struggling to get on the floor right now. It took a lot.

Sather said he told Nelson he was proud of him.

“When these guys make moves like that (transfer to Alabama), there are a lot of voices around them telling them, ‘Oh yeah, you’re making money and doing these things and that’s great,'” Sather said. “But when things aren’t going your way and aren’t going perfectly, that’s when you really realize what you’re made of. I’m really proud of him.”

Nelson left Grand Forks after the game on a charter plane back to Tuscaloosa, Alabama.

Oats said he was glad he scheduled the game for Nelson.

“I think overall, Grant played pretty well when he got home,” Oats said. “I’m glad Grant had friends and family at the game. I’m glad we did it.”