MANHATTAN, Kan. -- UND entered its game against Big 12 opponent Kansas State on Tuesday night without its top two scorers -- Quinton Hooker and Geno Crandall.
Somehow, UND managed to hang around longer than many expected.
Kansas State used an 11-0 run early in the second half to pull away from North Dakota 63-49 before 12,440 fans at Bramlage Coliseum.
Hooker has been plagued with plantar fasciitis, which has hampered the junior guard the past few games. Crandall, meanwhile, was suspended for one game due to a violation of athletic department policy.
Kansas State improved to 9-2 while UND dropped to 5-6 as the Fighting Hawks now prepare for Big Sky Conference play.
Hooker and Crandall, together, average 27 points on the season for UND. In their absence, Drick Bernstine, a 6-foot-8 forward, wound up playing the point guard position.
Bernstine finished with a team-high 13 points, 13 rebounds and a team-high five assists.
“I could not be more proud of this team and the effort we gave tonight,” said UND coach Brian Jones. “With being down two of our main pieces, we knew we would need guys to step up and play well tonight and I think we saw that from several guys.”
UND received eight points each from Conner Avants and Cortez Seales.
Kansas State was led by Barry Brown’s 15 points. Wesley Iwundu added 11.
UND led 19-15 with 5:46 to play in the first half after Adam McDermott hit a 3-pointer. That basket capped an 11-0 run for the Fighting Hawks.
But the Wildcats responded and led 24-21 at the half as UND’s 2-3 zone held Kansas State to 32 percent shooting.
Bernstine’s layup with 17:52 remaining tied the game at 27-27. But the Wildcats then replied with an 11-0 run as Kamau Stokes and Justin Edwards hit back-to-back 3-pointers.
UND, however, managed to hang around and trailed 46-40 after Avants scored a layup with 8:38 to go.
But that’s as close as UND could get.
The Wildcats struggled from the free-throw line, making only 12 of 26. UND was 9 of 15 from the line.
UND shot 44 percent, compared to K-State’s 38 percent.
UND will open Big Sky play Dec. 31 at home against Idaho.
1/8: Dec 22, 2015; Manhattan, KS, USA; North Dakota Fighting Hawks forward Drick Bernstine (43) is guarded by Kansas State Wildcats forward D.J. Johnson (4) during a game at Fred Bramlage Coliseum. The Wildcats won the game 63-49. Mandatory Credit: Scott Sewell-USA TODAY Sports
2/8: Dec 22, 2015; Manhattan, KS, USA; North Dakota Fighting Hawks guard Corey Baldwin (1) shoots against Kansas State Wildcats guard Kamau Stokes (3) during the first half at Fred Bramlage Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Scott Sewell-USA TODAY Sports
3/8: Dec 22, 2015; Manhattan, KS, USA; North Dakota Fighting Hawks guard Adam McDermott (3) dribbles against Kansas State Wildcats guard Justin Edwards (14) during a game at Fred Bramlage Coliseum. The Wildcats won 63-49. Mandatory Credit: Scott Sewell-USA TODAY Sports
4/8: Dec 22, 2015; Manhattan, KS, USA; North Dakota Fighting Hawks forward Conner Avants (32) shoots a layup during against the Kansas State Wildcats at Fred Bramlage Coliseum. The Wildcats won the game 63-49. Mandatory Credit: Scott Sewell-USA TODAY Sports
5/8: Dec 22, 2015; Manhattan, KS, USA; Kansas State Wildcats guard Justin Edwards (14) dribbles against North Dakota Fighting Hawks guard Cortez Seales (15) during a game at Fred Bramlage Coliseum. The Wildcats won the game 63-49. Mandatory Credit: Scott Sewell-USA TODAY Sports
6/8: Dec 22, 2015; Manhattan, KS, USA; Kansas State Wildcats forward Dean Wade (32) puts up a shot against North Dakota Fighting Hawks forwards Drick Bernstine (43) and Conner Avants (32) during a game at Fred Bramlage Coliseum. The Wildcats won the game 63-49. Mandatory Credit: Scott Sewell-USA TODAY Sports
7/8: Dec 22, 2015; Manhattan, KS, USA; Kansas State Wildcats forward Dean Wade (32) is guarded by North Dakota Fighting Hawks forwards Drick Bernstine (43) and Conner Avants (32) during a game at Fred Bramlage Coliseum. The Wildcats won the game 63-49. Mandatory Credit: Scott Sewell-USA TODAY Sports
8/8: Dec 22, 2015; Manhattan, KS, USA; North Dakota Fighting Hawks forward Drick Bernstine (43) drives against Kansas State Wildcats guard Wesley Iwundu (25) during a game at Fred Bramlage Coliseum. The Wildcats won the game 63-49. Mandatory Credit: Scott Sewell-USA TODAY Sports
