Box Score In a tight battle at the BSC Armory on January 31, 2026, the Montana State-Northern men's basketball team survived a late charge by Bismarck State to earn a 83–80 win in conference action. Both teams played with intensity from start to finish, but MSU-Northern's timely baskets and depth of scoring ultimately proved decisive in one of the season's most exciting contests.

From the opening tip, the Lights set the tone with an efficient offensive attack, leading 40–39 at halftime in a contest that featured back-and-forth momentum. The second half followed suit, with neither team able to build more than a slim advantage as turnovers, hustle plays, and clutch buckets kept fans on the edge of their seats.

Austin Ramos led the charge for MSU-Northern, finishing with a team-high 21 points while knocking down several key shots in pivotal moments. Claysen Delp added 13 points and five assists, orchestrating the offense and consistently finding teammates for quality looks. Raefe McEnroe's energy and scoring punch off the bench was a difference-maker, as he poured in 15 points to help maintain the lead in the waning minutes. Leon Sayers IV chipped in 11 points and six rebounds, giving MSU-Northern a balanced scoring attack across multiple positions.

Bismarck State's offense was paced by Houston Davis, who poured in 20 points while playing all 40 minutes and providing key baskets throughout the night. Jah Gulley was a force inside and out, contributing 17 points and nine rebounds, and Alex Proctor added 15 points, including critical three-point shooting that kept the Mystics within striking distance late. Carter Zeller also posted a strong performance with 14 points and seven rebounds.
The final minutes were filled with drama as Bismarck State fought to erase a small MSU-Northern lead. With both teams trading leads and the crowd buzzing, Montana State-Northern managed to make the plays it needed down the stretch — hitting clutch free throws and tough shot at the buzzer— to hold off the home squad and capture the narrow victory.

In the end, the wild finish showcased the resilience and competitive spirit of both teams. Montana State-Northern's balanced attack and execution in the final moments lifted them to an 83–80 road win, while Bismarck State's performance highlighted its potential and grit in close games.

The Lights move to 14-8 overall and 9-7 in conference. The Lights will be at home next weekend against Mayville State and Valley State on Friday and Saturday.