The North Dakota State Bison defeated the Kansas City Roos 95-59 on Saturday, February 21, 2026, at the Scheels Center in Fargo, North Dakota. The Bison, currently leading the Summit League, dominated the Roos, showcasing a significant difference in field goal and three-point percentages. This Kansas City vs North Dakota State live game saw North Dakota State solidify their position at the top of the league standings.
North Dakota State’s victory was fueled by a strong offensive performance, shooting 49% from the field and 44% from beyond the arc. Trey Anderson led the Bison with 20 points, while Grant Nelson added 15. Kansas City struggled to find its rhythm, managing only 37% from the field and a mere 23% from three-point range. K. Grady II was the Roos’ leading scorer with 15 points.
The game was largely controlled by North Dakota State, who led for 98% of the contest, building a lead as large as 43 points. They out-rebounded Kansas City 52-25, demonstrating their dominance on both ends of the court. The Bison also capitalized on turnovers, scoring 16 points off of the Roos’ 15 miscues. The Roos, looking to upset the league leaders, fell short against a determined North Dakota State team.
Bison Dominate in Summit League Showdown
North Dakota State’s performance underscored their status as the team to beat in the Summit League. With a record of 23-6 overall and 13-1 in conference play, the Bison have established themselves as a formidable force. Their home court advantage proved crucial, as they improved to 11-1 at the Scheels Center this season. The team’s ability to control the boards and convert on offense proved too much for Kansas City to overcome.
Kansas City, now 4-24 overall and 1-13 in the Summit League, continues to struggle this season. Despite the efforts of Grady II and Chris Dockery, who added 10 points, the Roos couldn’t match the Bison’s intensity and efficiency. The team will demand to address their shooting woes and rebounding deficiencies to improve their standing in the league.
Key Stats and Game Leaders
Here’s a breakdown of the key statistics from the game, according to ESPN:
| Statistic | Kansas City | North Dakota State |
|---|---|---|
| Field Goal % | 37% (23-62) | 49% (37-75) |
| Three Point % | 23% (7-31) | 44% (17-39) |
| Free Throw % | 38% (6-16) | 67% (4-6) |
| Rebounds | 25 | 52 |
| Turnovers | 14 | 15 |
| Points in Paint | 28 | 40 |
Game Leaders: K. Grady II led Kansas City with 15 points, while T. Anderson paced North Dakota State with 20 points. C. Dockery contributed 5 defensive rebounds for Kansas City, and T. Anderson grabbed 7 defensive rebounds for the Bison.
Roos Looked to Upset League Leaders
Prior to the game, Kansas City was looking to replicate their success from February 15, 2024, when they defeated South Dakota State, a team that was also leading the league standings at the time. Kansas City Men’s Basketball had hoped to carry that momentum into Saturday’s contest, but the Bison proved to be a tougher opponent.
Recent performances from Trey Booker-Lowery had offered a glimmer of hope for the Roos. He had a season-high 21 points and 8 rebounds in their previous game against North Dakota. Chris Dockery had also been in double-digit scoring in four consecutive games, averaging 9.3 points per game during conference play, a significant increase from his 5.2 points per game average in non-conference games. However, these individual efforts weren’t enough to overcome North Dakota State’s overall team strength.
Jerome Palm, despite being held scoreless against UND, had been a consistent presence on the boards for Kansas City, averaging 6.4 rebounds per game, ranking fifth in the Summit League. He also leads the Roos in assists among players 6’10” or taller.
Looking Ahead
North Dakota State will next travel to South Dakota State, while Kansas City will continue their road trip. The Bison will aim to maintain their lead in the Summit League standings, while the Roos will seek to turn their season around. The Summit League tournament is approaching, and both teams will be looking to build momentum in the coming weeks. Official schedules and updates can be found on the North Dakota State Athletics website and Kansas City Roos Athletics website.
This game highlighted the competitive nature of the Summit League and the challenges facing Kansas City as they strive for improvement. The Bison’s dominant performance serves as a reminder of their strength and their position as the team to beat in the conference.
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What are your thoughts on the game? Share your comments below and let us know what you think the Roos need to do to improve their performance.
