Led by Rodney Williams’ team-high 14 points, host Minnesota hung on for a 63-59 victory over North Dakota State on Thursday night in its final non-conference game.

Williams finished 5-of-7 from the field for the Gophers (12-1), who had a 32-29 halftime lead and defeated the Bison for the ninth consecutive time.

North Dakota State (8-3) had a chance to tie the game at 59 with Lawrence Alexander at the line with 2:06 left to play, but he missed both free throws. Later in the half, with the Bison down just three with under a minute to play, Marshall Bjorklund missed 2-of-4 free throws.

On the ensuing possession, Ralph Sampson III sealed the victory with a pair of free throws that gave the Gophers a four point lead.

Maverick Ahanmisi had a career-high 13 points and Sampson III added 13 more for the Gophers, who held their opponent to fewer than 60 points for the sixth consecutive time.

North Dakota State shot just 43 percent from the field and lost despite its 36-20 edge in rebounds.

Dylan Hale had a team-high 13 points to lead the Bison, who have lost three of five after a 6-0 start. Taylor Braun, a freshman guard, added 13 points and 11 rebounds, and Mike Felt came off the bench to score nine.