MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. – The North Dakota State men's basketball team dropped its exhibition opener at the University of Minnesota on Thursday evening, falling 80-54 to the Gophers.
 
The Bison led 23-18 just over 11 minutes into the contest, but a 13-0 run by the Gophers gave Minnesota the lead for good.
 
Junior guard Trevian Carson led NDSU with 14 points. Senior Markhi Strickland added nine points and five rebounds for the Bison. Max Majerle and Damari Wheeler-Thomas both scored seven.
 
Minnesota led 49-40 with 11 minutes left in the second half before they scored 14 straight points to put the game away.
 
The Bison shot 35 percent for the game, compared to 48 percent for Minnesota. NDSU made 5-of-24 three-point attempts, while the Gophers made 11-of-28 from beyond the arc.
 
NDSU committed only nine turnovers in the game.
 
The Bison will host MSU Moorhead in an exhibition game at the Scheels Center on Thursday, Oct. 23.