Trey Eaglestaff Sets Summit League Record with 51 Points
Sioux Falls, S.D. – In a standout performance during the Summit League tournament quarterfinals, Treysen Eaglestaff of North Dakota scored an impressive 51 points, leading his team to an 85-69 victory over South Dakota State. This remarkable achievement not only set a new Summit League record but also marked the highest point total in Division I basketball for this season.
Previous Records and Historical Context
The previous Summit League record was 41 points, set by Geno Crandall while playing for North Dakota in a game against Troy during the 2017 regular season. Eaglestaff’s historic scoring feat also places him among the elite in recent history, as it is the highest score achieved by a Division I player in any game since Houston Christian’s Darius Lee netted 52 points in a marathon four-overtime game against McNeese on March 5, 2022. Moreover, it is the highest point total in a non-overtime game against a Division I opponent since Markus Howard from Marquette scored 54 points against USC on November 29, 2019.
Remarkable Performance Metrics
Eaglestaff demonstrated exceptional shooting skills, making 15 of his 28 attempts from the field, including 8-of-18 from three-point range, and converting 13 of 17 free throws. He had a stellar second half, scoring 28 points and solidifying his team’s advance to the semifinals. The accomplishment of scoring 50 points in a conference tournament game is a rare feat, with Eaglestaff becoming only the third Division I player to do so in the past three decades.
| Year | Player | Points |
|---|---|---|
| 2011 | Jimmer Fredette, BYU | 52 |
| 2025 | Trey Eaglestaff, UND | 51 |
| 2017 | Chris Clemons, Campbell | 51 |
| 2003 | Richard Toussaint, BCU | 49 |
| * Division I, last 30 years | ||
Team Performance and Future Matchup
Alongside Eaglestaff’s record-breaking night, North Dakota’s success was bolstered by key contributions from teammates. The third-seeded Jackrabbits were led by Oscar Cluff, who recorded 27 points and 17 rebounds, while Kalen Garry and Matthew Mors added 12 and 10 points respectively.
The victory propels the sixth-seeded North Dakota (12-20) into the semifinals, where they will face the second-seeded St. Thomas-Minnesota. Notably, the Tommies are currently in the final year of their transition to Division I, which prevents them from participating in the NCAA tournament. If St. Thomas secures the Summit League championship, the automatic NCAA tournament bid will instead be awarded to Omaha, the regular-season champion.
Data and research outlet ESPN and The Associated Press contributed to this article.