SIOUX FALLS, S.D. — Despite playing in just one game to open conference play, South Dakota State’s Oscar Cluff put together a showing strong enough to warrant claiming co-Summit League Men’s Basketball Peak Performer of the Week honors on Monday, Jan. 6. Cluff shared the award with St. Thomas’ Miles Barnstable.
The Jackrabbit senior center had a near historical night on Thursday in First Bank & Trust Arena against Denver. Cluff produced career highs of 30 points and 19 rebounds. His 30-point performance came on an 11-for-14 clip from the floor and 7 of 8 mark at the free throw line. His rebound total was the seventh highest single-game mark in program history and was the most by a Jackrabbit since Mike Daum in 2019. It was his 10th double-double effort of the season.
Cluff was a lone rebound away from becoming the fourth men’s Division I player to register a 20-point, 20-rebound game this season. He was the second Division I player this season to score 30 points and pull down at least 19 rebounds in a game. The weekly honors are the third instance Cluff has been recognized by The Summit League during the 2024-25 slate.
The Australia native currently ranks among the top three individuals at the DI level in double-doubles, rebounds per game (11.7) and field goal percentage (69.4).
Cluff also added Lou Hanson National Player of the Week recognition to his haul on Monday. The College Insider gives out the award to mid-major basketball’s top player of the week. The 2025 Lou Henson National Player of the Year award will be announced in April in San Antonio.
The South Dakota State men’s basketball team continues conference action this week. The Jackrabbits hit the road and take on St. Thomas next on Wednesday at 8 p.m. in St. Paul, Minn.