BROOKINGS, S.D. – North Dakota State got a game-high 28 points from Jacksen Moni and kept South Dakota State from completing a second-half comeback as the Bison defeated the Jackrabbits, 77-68, in a Summit League men’s basketball matchup Thursday in First Bank & Trust Arena.
NDSU led for the first 12 minutes of the contest before SDSU was able to gain a lead. An Isaac Lindsey 3-pointer put the Jacks on top, 22-21, at the 8:35 mark of the first half.
The Bison’s Jacari White scored five consecutive points and NDSU eventually used a 7-point scoring run to go ahead 28-22. North Dakota State never trailed again.
NDSU took a 40-32 advantage into halftime. The Bison didn’t commit a turnover while forcing the Jacks into six.
Masen Miller hit a 3-pointer to give NDSU its largest lead of the night, a 46-34 margin, with 17:34 to play.
SDSU whittled away at the deficit and cut the score to 60-57 with 8:08 remaining.
The Jackrabbits forced a turnover on the Bison’s ensuing possession. SDSU had a chance to tie the score, but a 3-pointer didn’t fall for the Jacks, and a stretch of five straight points for NDSU kept the Jacks at bay.
SDSU again worked into the NDSU advantage had the deficit down to 68-64 with under three minutes to play. The Bison again responded with a field goal and put the game out of reach.
The Jackrabbits dropped to 18-10 overall and 9-4 in Summit League play. NDSU improved to 20-9 (9-5) with the victory.
NOTES
- North Dakota State outshot SDSU 46.7-39.4% from the field. SDSU was 10-for-30 from 3-point range while NDSU was 12-for-30. The Jackrabbits outrebounded the Bison, 43-31, but had 10 turnovers to SDSU’s four.
- Moni scored his 28 points on 11 of 19 shooting. That included a 4-for-8 clip from 3-point range. He also had six rebounds, four assists and two steals for the Bison.
- NDSU had three others score in double digits in Miller (14), White (13) and Tajavis Miller (15). Noah Feddersen had a team-high eight rebounds and three blocks.
- Joe Sayler and Oscar Cluff each had 14 points for the Jackrabbits. Cluff recorded his 19th double-double of the season thanks to 10 rebounds. Owen Larson scored 13 points and had a team-high four assists to go along with six rebounds. Jaden Jackson also registered 11 points.
- The loss for SDSU dropped the Jackrabbits to 12-1 in First Bank & Trust Arena this season. Thursday evening’s contest was played in front of 4,115 spectators.
UP NEXT
South Dakota State close out its home portion of its schedule on Sunday. The Jackrabbits host Kansas City for their Senior Day at 1 p.m. in First Bank & Trust Arena.