SIOUX FALLS, South Dakota – Max Abmas scored 28 points but it wasn’t enough as ORU fell to North Dakota State, 72-92, Monday night.

Abmas led all scorers going 11-for-23 from the field. He went 4-for-10 from the three-point line as well. Issac McBride also had a double-digit night with 19 points. It was McBride’s 16th-straight game scoring in double figures.

Down the stretch in the second half, North Dakota State led by as much as 30 with 3:33 to play. A 10-2 run at the end for ORU made the 92-72 deciding factor.

ORU got an 80-68 win over Western Illinois Sunday night in the first round of the Summit League Championship.

Abmas led the Golden Eagles with 22 points Sunday. He hit six of 15 shots from the field and 9 of 10 free throws. At the beginning of the week, Abmas was the fifth leading scorer in the nation, averaging 22.7 points per game.

Western Illinois never led in the quarterfinal as ORU scored the first points of the game and maintained it for the complete 40 minutes. The Leathernecks cut the game to 10 as ORU had a 43-31 lead at half. ORU scored 44 points in the paint compared WIU’s 28. ORU’s bench had 13 points.

ORU 45.5 percent from the field and 29.2 percent from beyond the arc. WIU shot 42.6 percent overall and 32.1 percent from long range.

ORU out-rebounded WIU, 42-32. The Golden Eagles secured 11 offensive rebounds. The Golden Eagles went 13-for-14 from the free-throw line.

ORU was the defending  Summit League champion. Last season, the Golden Eagles beat North Dakota, South Dakota State and North Dakota to earn the league’s automatic bid to the NCAA tournament.

Then ORU posted one of the biggest opening round upsets by topping No. 7 Ohio State 75-72. Then ORU defeated Florida 81-78 to reach the Sweet Sixteen. ORU came within two points of reaching the Final Four as they fell to No. 10 Arkansas, 70-72.