MISSOULA, Mont. — North Dakota State held on to defeat Montana 81-72 in nonconference Division I men's basketball at Dahlberg Arena.

Montana trimmed the Bison lead to two points at 5:01 to play in the second half. NDSU answered with back-to-back 3-pointers from Treyson Anderson and Trevian Carson to lead 67-59 at 3:34 left.

Damari Wheeler-Thomas gave NDSU a 10-point lead off a pair of made free throws with 47 seconds remaining to put the game on ice. The Bison led 34-31 at halftime.

Wheeler-Thomas led the Bison with 23 points, including a 9 of 10 showing at the free-throw line. Markhi Strickland added 16 points and seven rebounds. NDSU made 28 of 62 field goals and 20 of 22 free throws, while struggling from 3-point range with five makes on 23 attempts.

NDSU (6-3) hosts Northern Arizon

See Full Page