FARGO, N.D.  — Fargodome officials say the crowd of more than 9,000 people at an NBA preseason game between the Indiana Pacers and Minnesota Timberwolves exceeded expectations.

The Timberwolves led most of the way to defeat the Pacers 84-70 Wednesday in the first game for both teams. It was the first NBA game in Fargo in a decade.

Fargodome general manager Rob Sobolik says attendance was strong despite the fact it was a weekday night game without one of Minnesota’s top draws, injured point guard Ricky Rubio.

Sobolik says about 2,000 people bought tickets in the last few days leading up to the game.

The dome spokesman says he hopes the turnout sends a message to the Timberwolves “that 10 years is too long to wait” for another game in Fargo.