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the Bison started hitting 3-pointers before Western Illinois drew too close.
• "We just wanted to leave it all on the court and try to make a comeback," said Western Illinois' Don McAvoy.
• The Leathernecks trailed 24-20 at halftime, trudging through a defensive first half while shooting just 25 percent. North Dakota State fared slightly better, shooting 40 percent from the field. There was a period of nearly five minutes without either team scoring a point.
• North Dakota State's Taylor Braun pulled down seven rebounds and scored 14 points despite shooting just 3 of 11 from the field. Braun nailed all eight of his attempts at the foul line.
• "When you're missing field goals, free throws string together gaps," Bison head coach Saul Phillips said.
• Braun said he's looking forward to playing South Dakota State in the finals, despite a packed crowd expected to be wearing mostly the Jackrabbits' colors of blue and gold.
• "Both teams are going to be fighting," Braun said. "We just have to stay composed and play our basketball, and we'll be all right."
•

• SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (AP) -- TrayVonn Wright led North Dakota State with 19 points and the Bison survived a defensive battle to beat Western Illinois 55-43 Monday night in the semifinals of the Summit League tournament.
• North Dakota State (24-8) will face top seed and defending champion South Dakota State in the finals Tuesday night.
• Taylor Braun added 14 points for the Bison and pulled down seven rebounds.
• Adam Link led Western Illinois (22-8) with 12 points and eight rebounds.
• Leathernecks point guard Ceola Clark, who scored nine points, went down with a leg injury midway through the second half and had to be carried off the court. He later returned to the bench on crutches.

• RAPID CITY, S.D. (AP) -- A former South Dakota teacher who pleaded guilty to having sex with a 15-year-old student is headed to prison.
• Circuit Judge Janine Kern on Monday sentenced 26-year-old Kyle Keegan, of Rapid City, to seven years in prison, with four years suspended.

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