BROOKINGS, S.D. (SDSU) – South Dakota State used an eight-point scoring run late in the second half to lift the Jackrabbits past Kansas City, 70-65, in a Senior Day home finale at First Bank & Trust Arena Sunday. Kansas City gained control of the momentum and the score when Jamar Brown hit a 3-pointer with 5 minutes, 25 seconds remaining in the contest, to put the Roos ahead 59-52. The Jacks and Roos then traded baskets as the clock dipped under the five-minute mark. SDSU’s Jaden Jackson drained a 3-pointer to cut the deficit down to four. The Jacks forced a missed Roos jumper, leading to a Kalen Garry floater in the paint to cut Kansas City’s advantage to a single possession. The Roos’ ensuing possession saw the visiting side rebound two missed field goals before the Jacks grabbed a defensive rebound. The Jackrabbits completed a seven-point stretch as Oscar Cluff dished the ball back to Jackson who connected on another trey, putting SDSU briefly ahead 62-61, with 2:16 to play. A Kansas City free throw tied the score at 62 as the clock went under two minutes left. The two sides again traded baskets to tie the score at 64-64. Cluff used a move under the rim to finish off a layup and give the Jackrabbits the eventual-game winning bucket, putting SDSU on top 66-64 with 47 seconds to go. The Jackrabbits forced a turnover on the Roos’ next possession. Jackson essentially put the game out of reach by hitting two free throws with 13 seconds left. The Roos made a free throw with six seconds on the clock, but SDSU’s Joe Sayler put a cap on the matchup by making two at the charity stripe with a second to play.The Jackrabbits improved to 19-10 overall and 10-4 in Summit League action with the victory. Kansas City fell to 11-18 (3-11). NOTES
Both teams finished within a percentage point of each other from the field as SDSU shot 45.5%. SDSU was held to 6 of 18 from 3-point range, while Kansas City was 11-for-26 (42.3%). The Jackrabbits had a 14 of 18 (77.8%) clip at the charity stripe while the Roos were held to 2 of 4.
Cluff led South Dakota State by scoring 17 points and grabbing 10 boards. The senior center logged his 20th double-double of the season. He also had a career-high four steals.
Joining Cluff in double digits in the score column were Jackson (11), Garry (11) and Stoney Hadnot (10). Larson had a team-high six assists.
Kansas City had the game’s scoring leaders in Brown (21) and Babacar Diallo (18). Brown also had nine rebounds, while he and Diallo had three steals apiece.
South Dakota State led for a majority of the first half. The Jackrabbits led by as many as eight and held the advantage for nearly 15 minutes. SDSU went into halftime up 34-32, however Larson went down at the break and didn’t return to the contest due to a knee injury.
The Senior Day game for South Dakota State featured 3,425 spectators in attendance. The Jackrabbits recognized Nate Barnhart, Oscar Cluff and Isaac Lindsey prior to tipoff.
UP NEXTSouth Dakota State plays its final two regular season games on the road. The Jackrabbits begin their road trip with a 7 p.m. matchup on Thursday at Oral Roberts.
