JACKS UNABLE TO COMPLETE RALLY IN LOSS TO USD

Saturday, February 7

Brookings, S.D.

5 p.m.

South Dakota State University

11-14,4-6Summit League

South Dakota

14-12,6-5Summit League

South Dakota

South Dakota St.

A men's basketball player in a white uniform shoots a shot with his left hand as a man in a black uniform defends him

2/7/2026 7:53:00 PM | Men's Basketball

Box Score

By: Andrew Pedersen

BROOKINGS, S.D. – South Dakota State nearly completed a double-digit comeback, but was unable to find a game-winning field goal late as the Jackrabbits fell 68-67 to South Dakota on Saturday inside First Bank & Trust Arena.

After making the opening field goal of the first half, South Dakota State trailed for a majority of the opening 20 minutes. South Dakota used an 11-point scoring run to bolster its advantage and went up 24-12 at the 10:57 mark of the first half.

South Dakota State utilized an eight-point scoring stretch to cut the deficit back to single digits and eventually tied the score at 28 on a pair of Joe Sayler free throws. The Coyotes pushed their lead back to double digits, scoring the half's final eight points, and were up 43-32 at halftime.

USD finished the opening half with an 18-6 edge in points in the paint. The Yotes also outshot the Jacks 48-36% from the field.

SDSU used defense to work its way back into the contest. The Jacks forced three turnovers in three consecutive possessions as SDSU made it 45-41 following a Jaden Jackson 3-pointer at the 17:07 mark. It forced USD to call timeout.

The Jackrabbits continued on their game-high scoring run as SDSU scored 17 straight points. SDSU eventually bolstered its advantage to six points as the Jacks led 51-45 after a Sayler jumper with 12:53 to play.

South Dakota responded with seven straight points to re-take the lead. The two sides continued to trade baskets as the clock dipped down under three minutes. Sayler hit a 3-pointer to put the Jackrabbits ahead, 67-64, as the clock struck 2:14 remaining. It'd be the last time SDSU scored.

The Coyotes' Jordan Crawford drained a 3-pointer on the ensuing possession to tie the score at 67. An empty possession for SDSU led to Uzziah Buntyn for USD making a free throw to put the visitors ahead 68-67 with 1:20 to play.

South Dakota State went two more possessions without a field goal as Buntyn ended up fouled with 11 seconds on the clock. He went to the charity stripe for a one-and-one opportunity and missed his first attempt.

The Jackrabbits had a final opportunity to complete a game winner. Jackson drove to the rim and got into the paint, but his layup through contact was unsuccessful as the time expired.

The Jackrabbits outshot 53-35% from the field in the second half. However, South Dakota made four 3-pointers to SDSU's one in the final 20 minutes. It made a difference despite SDSU outscoring USD 35-25 in the second half. The Jacks and Coyotes had 12 lead changes and three tie scores during the final period.

NOTES

South Dakota's victory over South Dakota State ended a 10-game winning streak for the Jackrabbits over the Coyotes.
Three Jacks ended up scoring in double digits. Sayler scored a game-high 21 points, while he was followed by Damon Wilkinson (18) and Jackson (17). Wilkinson and Matthew Mors had nine rebounds apiece, while Sayler had three assists.
Cameron Fens had a double-double for South Dakota behind 14 points and 12 rebounds. Crawford scored 19 points but did so on 7-for-22 shooting. Buntyn finished with 15 points and a game-high six assists.

UP NEXT
South Dakota State returns to the road for its next two games. The Jackrabbits head to Denver to take on the Pioneers at 8 p.m. CT on Thursday.

-GoJacks.com-