FARGO — North Dakota State point guard Damari Wheeler-Thomas found paint points when it mattered most Monday night at the Sanford Health Athletic Complex.

The junior's drive to the basket — with a tough finish over a defender — with less than three minutes to play was one of the multiple big baskets the Bison scored in crunch time. Wheeler-Thomas finished with a game-high 24 points to help spark a 92-85 victory against Southern Illinois in NCAA Division I nonconference men's basketball before 1,068 fans at Scheels Center.

“I love that kid," said NDSU head coach David Richman. "I cannot say enough about him. He's an elite competitor. He was dynamite tonight.”

The 6-foot Wheeler-Thomas was 9-for-13 from the floor and 4-for-6 from 3-point range, also adding four assists.

“Obviously a big

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