JACKRABBITS DROP THRILLER TO TOMMIES

Wednesday, January 8

St. Paul, Minn.

8 p.m.

South Dakota State University

10-7,1-1Summit League

St. Thomas

13-5,3-0Summit League

South Dakota St.

St. Thomas (MN)

Kalen Garry

Photo by: Andrew Pedersen

1/8/2025 10:53:00 PM | Men's Basketball

Box Score

By: Andrew Pedersen

ST. PAUL, Minn. – South Dakota State made two potential game-winning 3-pointers in the final minute of action, but the contest didn't end the Jackrabbits' way as St. Thomas prevailed 73-72 in Schoenecker Arena on Wednesday in Summit League play.

The matchup, which featured 19 lead changes, came down to the final moments. The Jackrabbits held a 69-66 lead following a three-point play by Joe Sayler with 3 minutes, 41 seconds left. A minute later, St. Thomas tied the score on a 3-pointer by Miles Barnstable.

The score remained at 69-69 for over two minutes until Nolan Minessale hit a jumper in the paint to put the Tommies in front, 71-69, with 37 seconds to go. SDSU's next time down the court saw Sayler drive into the paint and pass the ball out to Owen Larson who drained a 3-pointer to put the Jacks ahead, 72-71, as the clock dipped down to 23 seconds.

St. Thomas called timeout and out of the huddle was fouled on the Tommies' drawn up play. Drake Dobbs converted on both of his free throw attempts to put the home side up 73-72 with 13 seconds left.

South Dakota State called timeout and had to go the length of the court for a final opportunity. The Jackrabbits got the ball up the floor and saw Kalen Garry get trapped in front of the Jackrabbit bench. Garry threw a pass across court to Matthew Mors who caught the ball deep in 3-point range. His attempt fell through the net, but he was unable to get the shot off in time as the buzzer sounded with the ball leaving his hands.

St. Thomas improved to 3-0 in conference and 13-5 overall in the victory. South Dakota State fell to 10-7 overall and 1-1 in Summit League action.

The Jackrabbits led by as many as six points in the first half before taking a 40-36 lead into halftime. SDSU had its largest lead of the night, 54-45, at the 13:29 mark of the second half. The Tommies came back and took the lead behind a 12-0 scoring run.

Kalen Garry paced SDSU in the score column with 19 points. Also registering double digits were Oscar Cluff (13), Sayler (12) and Mors (10). Cluff matched his career high by tallying 19 rebounds for a second consecutive game. He also dished out a career-high seven assists. Mors had seven rebounds while Sayler recorded a career-high four assists.

Three Tommies finished scoring in double digits which included Minessale (17), Dobbs (12) and Kendall Blue (10). Dobbs had five assists.

NOTES

Both teams finished similar from the field as SDSU narrowly edged St. Thomas 46.6-43.9%. They each were 10 of 16 at the free throw line.
St. Thomas committed just four turnovers to SDSU's 13 with 10 coming in the second half for the Jackrabbits. The Jacks finished with a 47-25 advantage on the boards. The Tommies made 13 3-pointers to SDSU's eight.
South Dakota State's three-game win streak over St. Thomas was snapped in the defeat. The Jackrabbits are now 6-2 against the Tommies when both are at the Division I level. SDSU holds the 15-9 edge in the all-time series.

UP NEXT
South Dakota State continues its road stand. The Jackrabbits travel to Omaha to face the Mavericks in Baxter Arena at 1 p.m. on Saturday.

-GoJacks.com-