FARGO – The North Dakota State University athletics department has announced its plans for fan attendance and ticketing at home women’s and men’s basketball games this season.

The current policies were reached in accordance with North Dakota Department of Health guidelines, specifically the ND Smart Restart tiered capacity for large gatherings. Policies are subject to change based on circumstances and further developments.

For the first three home games of the women’s basketball season on Dec. 2, Dec. 5, and Dec. 6, no fans will be allowed beyond the team pass list for family members. Beginning with the Dec. 16 women’s basketball game vs. North Dakota, NDSU anticipates a fan capacity limited to 1,000 people per game.

All seating will be general admission and limited to designated, socially distanced areas. Masks are required for all in attendance. Tickets for the single women’s game Dec. 16 vs. North Dakota will be $13, and tickets for all doubleheader dates in January and February will be $21 – good for admission to both games of the doubleheader. Admission remains free for NDSU students.

Current season ticketholders (Mondays of the on-sale week) and team makers (Wednesdays of the on-sale week) will have pre-sale dates available in advance of the general public on-sale dates listed above. Fans are strongly encouraged to purchase online in advance of games at GoBison.com/tickets. Due to the limited availability, tickets may not still be for sale when game day arrives. NDSU Athletics will continue to monitor university, city, and state guidelines and recommendations, and adjust accordingly.

Bison fall to Nevada in season opener, 62-48

LINCOLN, Neb. – The North Dakota State men’s basketball team struggled offensively in its season opener, falling 62-48 to the Nevada Wolfpack on Wednesday afternoon in the opening game of the Golden Window Classic at Pinnacle Bank Arena.

NDSU was led by 11 points from junior Tyree Eady and nine points apiece from junior Sam Griesel and sophomore Jarius Cook. The Bison shot 29 percent for the game (16-for-55), and made 6-of-21 from three-point range. Nevada shot 38 percent overall and hit 8-of-17 from beyond the arc. NDSU won the rebounding battle, but was also hurt by 16 turnovers.

Senior Rocky Kreuser pulled down 10 rebounds for the Bison, and fellow senior Tyler Witz grabbed a career-high seven boards. NDSU trailed 29-20 at halftime, but stormed out of the gates in the second half to pull within two at 29-27 with 18 minutes remaining. The Wolfpack led 47-43 following a three-pointer by Eady with just over six minutes left. An 8-2 run by Nevada over the span of a minute made it a 10-point margin at 55-45.

Boden Skunberg of Jamestown was the top-performing freshman of the three Bison who made their debuts Wednesday. He finished with seven points, four rebounds and two assists.

NDSU will stay in Lincoln to play Nebraska on Saturday at 11 a.m. The game will be broadcast on the Big Ten Network. NDSU also announced during Wednesday’s game that it has added a road contest at No. 11-ranked Creighton this Sunday at a time to be determined.