JACKS CRUISE TO VICTORY OVER PIONEERS

Thursday, February 22

Brookings, S.D.

7 p.m.

South Dakota State University

16-12,9-4Summit League

Denver

15-14,6-8Summit League

Denver

South Dakota St.

Zeke Mayo

Photo by: Joclyn Haven

2/22/2024 10:44:00 PM | Men's Basketball

Box Score

By: Andrew Pedersen

BROOKINGS, S.D. – South Dakota State scored nine seconds into its matchup against Denver Thursday and built its lead from there as the Jackrabbits dominated the Pioneers, 97-70, in Frost Arena. The victory for SDSU improved its overall record to 16-12 and 9-4 in Summit League play, while the Pios fell to 15-14 (6-8).

South Dakota State got rolling on its first possession as a William Kyle III assist on a Matt Mims layup gave the Jackrabbits the initial lead with 19 minutes, 51 seconds on the clock. Mims scored SDSU's first nine points, then a steal by the Jackrabbit guard led to a Charlie Easley 3-pointer. Kyle III converted on two free throws on the Jacks' next possession to make it 14-0 less than four minutes into the contest.

The Jackrabbits led 30-10 before the Pioneers cut into the deficit. Tommy Bruner scored Denver's first 10 points and he'd help spur the Pios to a 10-point scoring run to the cut the score to 30-20. Bruner scored 17 in the first half for Denver as his 3-pointer made it a 48-41 margin with 36 seconds left. Denver set up for an inbounds with six seconds remaining in the half on its side of the court, but threw an errant pass which was stolen by Zeke Mayo who laid in an easy bucket as time expired.

Bruner would be called for a technical foul before the halftime break, leading to two Mims free throws to begin the second half. He made both to push SDSU's advantage into double digits where it would stay the remainder of the game.

The Jackrabbits built the lead back over the 20-point differential on a Kalen Garry layup at the 13:45 mark of the first half. Another field goal by Garry with 11:05 remaining kept the margin above 20 for the rest of the contest. A 3-pointer by Nate Barnhart followed by five consecutive points from Jack Hastreiter punctuated a 27-point victory for South Dakota State.

South Dakota State was paced by a career game from Mims. He went 6-for-10 from the floor, including making five of his seven attempts for 3-point range, for a career-high 21 points. He also had two steals.

Mayo scored 20 points as the junior guard was 8 of 8 at the free throw line. Joining them in double digits scoring were Easley (15), Kyle III (12) and Garry (10). Kyle III matched a team-high six rebounds with Luke Appel while he also had a team-high five assists.

Bruner finished the night scoring 21 points for the Pioneers, while Denver was led by Touko Tainamo's 22 points. Jason Brenchley also scored 17.

The Jackrabbits held the edge in several categories. SDSU finished the night with a 57-43% shooting edge. SDSU was also 12 of 28 (42.9%) from 3-point range while Denver was 7 of 26 (26.9%). The Jacks matched their season high of 21 free throws made.

SDSU finished the night with a 36-31 rebound advantage while forcing 14 Denver turnovers to the Jacks' 11. SDSU had 19 assists as a team, tied for its second most this year, while the Pioneers dished out just nine.

Notes

The Jackrabbits' 27-point win over the Pioneers is their second largest ever. SDSU has defeated Denver twice by 30-point scores twice, once in 2014 as well as in the 1992 NCAA Division II North Central Regional held in Brookings.
SDSU handed Denver its worst loss of the season. The Pioneers' previous worst margin of defeat came in a 91-72 loss to Kansas City in late January.
SDSU has won 17 of the last 19 meetings against Denver.

Up Next
The Jackrabbits say 'Farewell Frost' and host Senior Day on Saturday. SDSU will take on St. Thomas in Frost Arena with tipoff scheduled for 2 p.m.

-GoJacks.com-