BROOKINGS, S.D. – South Dakota State put together its best offensive half of the season, and cruised following an explosive first 20 minutes, to complete a 95-72 victory over Oral Roberts on Saturday, Jan. 31, inside First Bank & Trust Arena.
The Jackrabbits and Golden Eagles kept things tight in the early going. Oral Roberts briefly led with the first points of the contest on a 3-pointer. The Jacks jumped into the lead following consecutive Damon Wilkinson field goals in the first three minutes of action.
Oral Roberts’ Ty Harper scored 11 of the Golden Eagles first 18 points as they trailed SDSU 20-18 with 12 minutes, 47 seconds left in the first half.
SDSU began to pull away at that point. Three different nine-point scoring runs pushed the Jackrabbits’ lead into double digits. A 13-0 scoring stretch, capped by a Jaden Jackson 3-pointer, gave SDSU a 54-29 advantage with just over two minutes remaining in the half.
The Jackrabbits eventually scored their most points in a half this season before taking a 58-39 lead into the halftime break. South Dakota State outshot Oral Roberts 65-39% in the first half which included an 8-for-13 clip from 3-point range. The Jacks also committed just one turnover.
Oral Roberts whittled away at the deficit to open the second half. A nine-point span for the Golden Eagles made it a 60-48 contest at the 15:29 mark. SDSU responded with the next six points and didn’t allow the margin to get any closer from there.
The Jacks finished the meeting outshooting the Golden Eagles 56.7%-33.3% and also out-rebounded ORU, 45-34. SDSU had 20 assists as a team.
South Dakota State improved to 11-12 overall and 4-4 in Summit League play. Oral Roberts dropped to 5-19 (0-9).
NOTES
- Jackson and Joe Sayler each finished with 24 points to lead the Jackrabbits. Jackson’s output was a career high with 21 coming in the first half, while Sayler went 9 of 12 from the field. Jackson also finished with five rebounds, five assists and a career-high five steals. Sayler grabbed a season-high eight rebounds.
- Joining the duo in double digits scoring were Kalen Garry (14), Damon Wilkinson (12) and Bubz Alvarez (11). Garry had a team-high seven assists. Bubz Alvarez scored a season-high point total to go along with a career-high eight rebounds.
- The 95 points scored by the Jackrabbits are the most during Summit League play.
- SDSU has now won five straight matchups against Oral Roberts. The Golden Eagles were led by Harper’s game-high 26 points.
UP NEXT
South Dakota State continues its home stand on Wednesday. The Jackrabbits take on St. Thomas at 6 p.m. inside First Bank & Trust Arena with the game broadcast on CBS Sports Network. The matchup is a Military Appreciation game as all active and veteran status military personnel may receive up to four complimentary tickets at the Southeast entrance, while supplies last. It also serves as a Feed The Students game as SDSU student will receive free pizza upon entrance, while supplies last.