In a thrilling finish, Eli King sank a last-second 3-pointer to secure a 90-88 victory for the North Dakota Fighting Hawks over the Winthrop Eagles on January 5, 2024, at the Betty Engelstad Sioux Center. With only 0.5 seconds remaining, King’s shot not only redeemed a previous missed opportunity but also electrified the 312 fans who braved severe weather conditions to support the team.
King’s performance came after a disappointing outing against Western Illinois last Saturday, where he missed a potential game-tying shot. Reflecting on the moment, he remarked, “It felt good… It definitely helps to step up for your team and makes you feel a little better.” He finished the game with a team-high 25 points, shooting 7-for-14 from the field.
Game Highlights and Team Effort
The game was a back-and-forth battle, with the Hawks having lost four close games against Division I opponents prior to this matchup. Head coach Paul Sather noted, “We’ve kind of had those moments throughout all these home games… where we could either close these games down or get back in the games.”
After trailing by 47-38 at halftime due to a 13-1 run by Winthrop, the Hawks mounted a comeback in the second half, which was marked by intense play and two technical fouls. The second half featured a total of 51 combined free-throw attempts. Freshman guard Anthony Smith III played a pivotal role, scoring 14 points and assisting King on the game-winning shot. Smith also demonstrated resilience on the boards with six rebounds, four of which were offensive.
Sather praised Smith’s maturity, stating, “The plays Anthony Smith was making in the second half… it just shows so much maturity for him, like you’re learning how to be a leader.”
Improved Rebounding and Future Matches
Rebounding was a key focus for the Hawks, especially after allowing 25 offensive rebounds against Western Illinois. Against Winthrop, they effectively controlled the glass, outrebounding the Eagles 38-33. King emphasized the importance of this improvement, saying, “Rebounding was something we’ve really focused on.”
With two non-conference games remaining, the Fighting Hawks will face Nebraska on January 7, 2024. Coach Sather expressed optimism following the victory, stating, “That’s a really good basketball team we just beat… Tonight, our guys made plays. A lot of different guys did.”
As the team looks ahead, the emphasis remains on building momentum and continuing to improve. The thrilling win against Winthrop marks a significant step in the right direction for the Fighting Hawks this season.
