Remy Abell and Jeremy Hollowell added 14 points each for Indiana (2-0), which has yet to lose in eight games against Summit League opponents.
The Hoosiers never trailed en route to their sixth consecutive 2-0 start, but North Dakota State – which had split its last four games against ranked opponents – managed to trail 42-29 at the half despite 14 first-half points from Zeller and a 37-percent shooting effort from the field.
The Bison (1-1) used a 6-2 surge out of the break to cut the double-digit deficit they faced for most of the game to nine points with 17:26 remaining, but a 12-3 run over the next 4:09 helped Indiana establish a 56-38 advantage that put North Dakota State away.
Marshall Bjorklund finished with 16 points to pace the Bison, who are 1-7 all-time against the Big Ten.
GAME NOTEBOOK: Since going 28-66 in coach Tom Crean’s first three seasons, Indiana is 29-9 since. … North Dakota State held a 42-16 rebounding edge in its season-opening win over NAIA Valley City State on Friday, but was soundly defeated 39-26 on the boards Monday. … Zeller just missed posting consecutive double-doubles for the first time in his career.
North Dakota State | Indiana | |
Marshall Bjorklund 16 | Scoring | Cody Zeller 22 |
Taylor Braun 5 | Assists | Victor Oladipo 5 |
Taylor Braun 7 | Rebounds | Cody Zeller 9 |
Marshall Bjorklund 6 | Free Throws Made | Will Sheehey 6 |
Lawrence Alexander 3 | Steals | Victor Oladipo 4 |
TrayVonn Wright 3 | Blocks | Cody Zeller 2 |
Team | Points | FG% | 3PM-3PA | FTM-FTA | Assists | Rebounds | Blocks | Steals | Turnovers |
North Dakota State | 61 | 41.1 | 8-20 | 7-9 | 14 | 26 | 4 | 7 | 16 |
Indiana | 87 | 48.3 | 9-24 | 22-30 | 16 | 39 | 4 | 8 | 10 |