Vinnie Shahid, Deng Geu help North Dakota State hold off Eastern Washington

FARGO, N.D. – Vinnie Shahid scored 15 of his 20 points in the second half and Deng Geu had 18 points and eight rebounds to help North Dakota State hold on for a 74-67 nonconference men’s basketball win over Eastern Washington on Saturday.

Shahid was 5-of-6 shooting, including three 3-pointers, made 7 of 8 free throws and had four assists. Rocky Kreuser scored all of his 14 points before the break and Jared Samuelson finished with 10 points for NDSU (3-7).

The Bison had a four-game skid snapped.

Shahid made two free throws to give NDSU the lead for good with 8 minutes to go. He made a layup about a minute later and, after Jacob Davison answered with a basket on the other end, hit a 3-pointer before Geu sandwiched a layup and a 3 around another bucket by Davison to make it 61-54 with 4:37 remaining.

Luka Vulikic hit a 3 that pulled the Eagles (1-6) within three points with 31 seconds left, but they didn’t score again.