SDSU picks up big win over Valparaiso in mid-major clash

BROOKINGS – South Dakota State outscored Valparaiso 49-32 in the first half on Wednesday night and that propelled the Jackrabbits to an 81-69 victory at First Bank & Trust Arena.

Each team had recorded wins over power conference teams last week, with the Jacks beating Kansas State in their season opener, and the Beacons taking down Purdue in double overtime on Friday.

SDSU head coach Eric Petersen said it was a really good opportunity for both teams because of the attention they got the past week.

“It was an awesome night here at First Bank & Trust,” Petersen said. “Shout out to Valpo to come out here and play this game. … I think [both of our wins] got more people thinking about the game. You know, from a fan base standpoint, ours, theirs, basketball fans all over the country tuned into this game. … I know our guys were really excited about this opportunity because of what [Valparaiso] just did, and they got a really good team.”

SDSU led 8-1 to start the game. The Beacons then went on a 13-3 run to go up 14-11. The two teams then traded baskets until SDSU gained momentum in the final nine and half minutes of the first half.

Semaj Stampley hit a 3-pointer in the corner to cap off a 13-3 run which gave the Jacks a 31-20 lead. Yai Ku was then charged with a flagrant one for an errant elbow. Alec Squires hit the two flagrant free throws and then Joe Sayler drained a three to make it 36-2 with five minutes left in the first half. SDSU eventually led 49-32 at halftime.

SDSU point guard EJ Ryans said SDSU did a good job of sticking to their game plan and that’s what led to the Jacks pulling away at the end of the first half.

“I think that goes to the kind of culture we have and shows our identity. We have a group of guys that we all hold each other accountable, and then we weren’t really wavered by [Valparaiso getting back in the game]. We kept playing our game, that’s all that was,” Ryans said.

Valpo slowly crept back into the game in the first 10 minutes of the second half and the Beacons cut the lead to 59-50 with 9:41 to play. Jon Mekonnen then hit a three to break a two-and-a-half-minute scoring drought for the Jacks.

Kalen Garry would then take over, scoring the next 10 points for SDSU and the Jacks led 72-44 with 6:35 to go. That put away the Beacons for good and the Jacks picked up an impressive win to move to 3-0 on the year.

Petersen said his team has done a good job of being connected when things get difficult in the first three games of the season.

“There’s a connected belief within the players. You know that’s really what matters most. I mean, we can preach and say that word all the time as coaches, but you have to feel it, and it just feels like we have a very connected belief in each other right now,” Petersen said.

Garry finished with 21 points and he scored 18 in the second half. Sayler had 20 points and he scored 16 of them in the first half. Petersen said it was fun to have the two SDSU veterans carry the Jacks in the two different halves.

“It was great, because both of those guys have been in our program for a long time, and so it’s fun to see those guys have success and do well, especially in an environment like this. [Sayler] got us off to a great start, got downhill, made a few shots on the perimeter, and then obviously [Gary] had a good second half,” Petersen said.

SDSU shot 45.6% from the field and was 8-of-20 from three. The Beacons had a 38-37 advantage in rebounds but the Jacks had a 32-24 advantage in the paint. SDSU scored 21 points off of nine Valparaiso turnovers.

The two teams combined for 52 fouls in the game and the Jacks had 29 of them. SDSU was 21-of-26 at the free throw line and Valpo was 23-of-35. 

Petersen said the Beacons are one of the top teams in the country at getting to the free throw line and the Jacks didn’t do a good job of keeping them off the line on Wednesday.

“[Fouling] was a huge emphasis too.” Petersen said. “We just didn’t execute. … We knew that [drawing fouls] was going to be a big part of what they do. 70% of their points in their first two games came from the paint or the foul line. … Hats off to them. They were able [to draw fouls]. One of their strengths. But I thought we did a better job in the second half of not fouling, but it’s still something we need to improve on.”

SDSU plays Northern Colorado in Rapid City on Saturday at 3 p.m. Kansas State and Valparaiso were considered two of the top three opponents on the Jackrabbits’ non-conference schedule and Petersen said it’s a great start to the season, but SDSU needs to make sure they continue to focus on the process.

“It’s a process, and right now we’re off to a good start in the process. … And obviously, that’s good. That’s a positive. We always talk about stacking moments together, and we’ve had some moments so far this year. We know we’re not going to be perfect all year, so we just have to keep stacking them together,” Petersen said.