GRAND FORKS, N.D. (Interstat) — Western Illinois edged North Dakota 69-66 in overtime Saturday at Engelstad Arena, avenging a loss from three weeks prior. The Leathernecks squandered a four-point halftime lead as the Fighting Hawks rallied to force the extra period, but Western Illinois secured the road win by outscoring North Dakota 9-6 in overtime. Isaiah Griffin led all scorers with 18 points for Western Illinois. Karyiek Dixon added 17 points. Eli King and Greyson Uelmen each scored 13 points for North Dakota. The Leathernecks improved to 4-7, while the Fighting Hawks fell to 4-9. Attendance was 1,528.

GRAND FORKS, N.D. (Interstat) — In a grinding, defensive struggle that required an extra period to decide, Western Illinois edged North Dakota 69-66 in overtime on Saturday at Engelstad Arena, avenging a loss to the Fighting Hawks from just three weeks prior. The game, played before a crowd of 1,528, was a testament to resilience for the visiting Leathernecks, who improved to 4-7. North Dakota fell to 4-9 with the loss, which came despite being installed as a 6.5-point favorite by oddsmakers. The contest was defined not by offensive fireworks but by sheer effort and key plays in critical moments. Western Illinois, shooting just 32.9% from the field and a frigid 15.8% from three-point range, won the game on the glass and at the free-throw line. The Leathernecks hauled in 20 offensive rebounds, leading to a dominant 20-9 advantage in second-chance opportunities, and converted 20 of 25 free throws. North Dakota countered with a formidable interior defense, blocking 10 shots, led by Eli King with four and Josh Jones with three. But the Fighting Hawks’ own offensive struggles, including 21 turnovers against just four assists, proved too much to overcome. North Dakota shot 38.2% from the field and 20.7% from deep. The most important sequence of the game unfolded in the final minute of overtime, with Western Illinois clinging to a one-point lead. After North Dakota’s Greyson Uelmen split a pair of free throws to tie the game at 66 with 1:30 remaining, the Leathernecks’ Isaiah Griffin drew a foul on Garrett Anderson with 23 seconds left. Griffin, who led all scorers with 18 points, calmly sank both free throws to put Western Illinois ahead for good. On the ensuing possession, North Dakota’s Josh Jones turned the ball over, and Griffin secured the steal. Fouled immediately, Lucas Lorenzen made the first of two free throws with 11 seconds left to extend the lead to three. Lorenzen missed the second, but North Dakota’s final chance to tie evaporated when Eli King’s desperation three-point attempt at the buzzer missed the mark. The game’s trajectory was set by a tale of two halves. Western Illinois controlled the first 20 minutes, taking a 32-28 lead into the break behind active defense and Griffin’s 10 first-half points. North Dakota responded after halftime, matching the Leathernecks’ first-half total exactly with a 32-point second half to force overtime at 60-60. In the extra period, Western Illinois scored on its first two possessions, a layup by Makai Kvamme and a driving score by Griffin, to establish a lead it would not relinquish. North Dakota managed just six points in overtime, all from the free-throw line, missing all five of its field goal attempts. Beyond Griffin’s game-high 18, Western Illinois received 17 points and a game-high nine rebounds from Karyiek Dixon. Francis Okwuosah added nine points and two blocks off the bench. For North Dakota, Eli King and Greyson Uelmen each scored 13 points, with King adding four blocks and two steals. Garrett Anderson contributed 11 points. The victory marked a significant turnaround for Western Illinois, which lost to North Dakota 78-69 in Macomb on Nov. 23. In that game, the Leathernecks were out-rebounded. On Saturday, they flipped the script, ultimately outlasting the Fighting Hawks in a defensive battle where every possession carried immense weight. Western Illinois next travels to face Lindenwood on Thursday. North Dakota remains at home to host Winthrop, also on Thursday.

Preview: Western Illinois at North Dakota GRAND FORKS, N.D. (Interstat) — Two teams seeking momentum before conference play begins will meet Saturday when the Western Illinois Leathernecks visit the North Dakota Fighting Hawks at Engelstad Arena. Both programs enter the nonconference matchup with sub-.500 records. Western Illinois (3-7) snapped a three-game skid with a 78-47 rout of Hannibal-La Grange on Dec. 6. North Dakota (4-8) is coming off an 89-43 victory over Crown College on Wednesday. The Fighting Hawks won the first meeting this season, 78-69, in Macomb, Illinois, on Nov. 23. A key player to watch for Western Illinois is forward Karyiek Dixon, who is coming off a double-double performance. Dixon logged 30 minutes against Hannibal-La Grange, scoring 17 points and grabbing 11 rebounds. His production has been variable, however, as he was held to just four points in a 108-57 loss at Drake on Dec. 2. For North Dakota, guard George Natsvishvili provides a scoring spark. He poured in 17 points in just 14 minutes against Crown and had 19 points in a narrow 79-75 loss to Montana on Dec. 6. In the November win over Western Illinois, Natsvishvili contributed 8 points. Western Illinois’ schedule has featured a mix of blowout losses to higher-caliber opponents like Drake and California Baptist, alongside victories over lower-division foes. North Dakota’s season includes a notable road win at UC Riverside but also several lopsided defeats, including a 92-55 loss at Hawaii. Following this game, Western Illinois will travel to Lindenwood on Dec. 18. North Dakota will remain at home to host Winthrop on the same date. Tipoff is scheduled for Saturday, Dec. 13, at Engelstad Arena.