BROOKINGS, S.D. – South Dakota State had three players score in double digits and produced a solid defensive effort as the Jackrabbits’ men’s basketball team beat Briar Cliff on Friday, 71-49, inside First Bank & Trust Arena.
SDSU jumped out to a 10-point lead just over five minutes into the contest. The Chargers cut the deficit to eight with 7:31 remaining in the opening half, but trailed the host Jackrabbits 36-24 heading into the halftime break.
Briar Cliff cut the margin to single digits on two occasions early in the second half, however the Jacks didn’t allow a threat to materialize as they staved off the Chargers over the course of 40 minutes.
South Dakota State outshot Briar Cliff 45-30% from the field. The Chargers were able to take advantage at the free throw line as they went 20-for-22 (90.9%) at the charity stripe. Briar Cliff turned the ball over 23 times with SDSU registering 16 steals.
Three Jackrabbits scored in double digits. Jon Mekonnen poured in a career-high 18 points on 8 of 11 shooting. Joe Sayler and Davis Kern each scored 10 points, while Sayler snagged a career-high five steals. Trey Buchanan dished out a career-high five assists. He also grabbed a game- and career-high seven rebounds to go along with five points.
South Dakota State improved to 2-0 on the season with the win. Briar Cliff remained at 1-3 overall with the contest serving as an exhibition for the Chargers.
NOTES
- South Dakota State had 12 players appear in Friday’s game. Making their collegiate debuts were Cam Swearengen and Youssouf Yatabare. Swearengen scored nine points on 4 of 5 from the field while Yatabare also recorded a field goal.
- Myles Thompson and Jaden Rogers made their first appearances of the season.
- EJ Ryans scored his first points as a Jackrabbit. The junior guard scored eight points.
UP NEXT
South Dakota State returns to First Bank & Trust Arena on Wednesday. The Jackrabbits host the Missouri Valley Conference’s Valparaiso which defeated nationally-ranked Purdue Friday evening. The Jackrabbits and Beacons are slated for a 7 p.m. tip off.
Story Provided by GoJacks.com
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