SDSU EARNS TOUGH WIN OVER NORTHERN ARIZONA

Wednesday, December 3

Flagstaff, Ariz.

7 p.m.

South Dakota State University

5-4,0-0Summit League

Northern Arizona

4-3,0-0Big Sky

South Dakota St.

Northern Ariz.

Joe Sayler

12/3/2025 10:05:00 PM | Men's Basketball

Box Score

By: Andrew Pedersen

FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. – South Dakota State finished with four double-digit scorers, led by a season-high 20 points from sophomore Joe Sayler, as the Jackrabbits defeated Northern Arizona 75-62 in the Rolle Activity Center on Wednesday.

Both teams got off to slow starts offensively as the Jackrabbits and Lumberjacks combined to miss their first seven field goal attempts and commit four turnovers. When the shots did start to fall, a 5-for-5 stretch for NAU put the host Jacks on top 14-8 at the 11:50 mark of the first half.

SDSU responded. An eight-point personal scoring run by Sayler put the Jackrabbits ahead, 18-16, with 7:38 remaining in the half. Kalen Garry followed with a 3-pointer to make it an 11-0 run for South Dakota State. The Jacks eventually put together a span that saw them score 16 of 17 points to go ahead 26-17.

The Jackrabbits led by as many as 11 points in the first half and had a double-digit advantage, 36-26, at halftime. Sayler and Damon Wilkinson each had 10 points.

South Dakota State jumped ahead by 15 less than four minutes into the second half before the Lumberjacks put together their best run of the contest. NAU scored 11 straight points to the cut the deficit to 48-44 with 13:07 remaining.

The Jackrabbits ensuing possession saw Jaden Jackson drain a 3-pointer. SDSU wouldn't allow NAU to cut the score to less than five the remainder of the contest.

Sayler connected on a 3-pointer at the 6:38 mark to give SDSU its largest lead of the night at 67-51. The advantage for the Jackrabbits never dipped back into single digits.

South Dakota State improved to 5-4 overall in the opening game of the Big Sky-Summit Challenge. Northern Arizona fell to 4-3 in the two sides' first ever meeting.

NOTES

SDSU narrowly outshot NAU by a 42-40% clip from the field. The Jackrabbits took advantage of their trips to the charity stripe making 18 of 25 free throws, while the Lumberjacks were just 11 of 19 (57.9%). SDSU was 9-for-29 (31%) from deep and NAU was 7-for-24 (29%). State out-rebounded Northern Arizona 41-33.
The Jackrabbits had a 28-11 edge in bench points. Wilkinson led the SDSU contingent off the bench with 13 points and five rebounds in 26 minutes. Luke Haertle had 11 points and five rebounds in 20 minutes
Sayler was the game's leading scorer with his 20 points on 5 of 10 from the field. He was also 4-for-7 from 3-point range and 6 of 6 at the free throw line. Sayler had SDSU highs in assists (3) and steals (3).
Garry joined SDSU's double digit scorers with 11 points. He also had tied for the team high in assists of three along with Jackson who had a game-high nine rebounds.

UP NEXT
South Dakota State returns home for another Big Sky-Summit Challenge matchup. The Jackrabbits host Idaho at 2 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 6, inside First Bank & Trust Arena. The contest serves as a "Jacks in Black" game with fans encouraged to wear black with the team donning its black uniforms.

-GoJacks.com-