Bismarck State College Mystics Athletics

BISMARCK, N.D. – The Mystics Men's Basketball hosted Trinity Bible College (Ellendale, N.D.) for their first home game of the 2025-26 season. Tuesday's home opener marked the first home game for the team as members of the NAIA, and the final home opener at the Armory.

The TBC Lions, members of the National Christian College Athletic Association (NCCAA), come into the game with a 2-1 overall record and are 0-1 against BSC all-time. Their only meeting came in 2024, an 84-78 Mystics victory.

Tuesday's game would be just as tightly-contested as their previous matchup, with the Lions playing with vengeance as they jumped out to an early 13-2 lead just three minutes into the opening half. The Lions would not relinquish the lead before halftime, holding a steady advantage throughout until a late Mystics run, capped off by an Alex Proctor two-handed slam, brought the lead down to two. TBC extended their lead back to 48-40 just before the first half buzzer, knocking down two three-pointers in the final minute.

In the second half, it was the Mystics who came out with a purpose as an early six-point run brought them within striking distance, and Houston Davis knocked down back-to-back shots to give them their first lead of the night with 15:12 remaining. BSC continued to build the advantage, as their largest lead of eight points came less than two minutes later.

The Lions weren't going down without a fight, however. Over the next eight minutes, the two teams traded blows as TBC regained a one-point advantage with just over four minutes remaining.

Tied at 80 with just over two minutes remaining, William Ware knocked down two free throws to give the Mystics the lead as the game entered crunch time. The Lions continued their effective three-point shooting, to take the 83-82 lead entering the final minute. 

The Mystics took possession and their final timeout with 12 seconds left, trailing by one. They could not convert on that last possession, and two subsequent missed free throws by the Lions would solidify the 83-82 final score.

Houston Davis led the way for the Mystics in his first home game at the Armory. The United Tribes transfer notched 33 points on 12/21 shooting and recorded his first double-double of the season, as he was dominant on the glass with fourteen rebounds. Tristin Davis, fellow United Tribes transfer playing in his first home game for the Mystics, was the team's leader in assists with five, second in scoring with 16 points and one rebound shy of a double-double of his own with nine boards.

The Mystics fall to 0-2 on the young season as they look to pick things back up next week as they continue their non-conference schedule with a pair of Division-II opponents. On Tuesday, Nov. 18, they travel east to take on the University of Jamestown Jimmies and the following day, Nov. 19, they head north to take on the Minot State Beavers. Both games will be doubleheaders, with the Mystic women getting things started at 5:30 p.m., both nights, followed by the men at 7:30 p.m.

They're return home following the two non-conference games for their first Frontier Conference games against Rocky Mountain (Mont.) and Carroll (Mont.). Those doubleheaders will start with the women's game at 5 p.m. followed by the men's game at 7 p.m. on Friday and Saturday, Nov. 21 and 22. 

Make sure to check the schedule for information on how to stream and attend the upcoming games.