BROOKINGS, S.D. (Interstat) — South Dakota State overcame a halftime deficit with a dominant second half to defeat Denver 87-79 in a Summit League men’s basketball game Thursday night at Frost Arena. The Jackrabbits, trailing 35-33 at the break, erupted for 54 second-half points. Denver’s Carson Johnson scored a game-high 27 points, but South Dakota State’s balanced attack proved decisive. Damon Wilkinson led the Jackrabbits with 19 points, supported by Jaden Jackson’s 17 and Joe Sayler’s 18. South Dakota State improved to 9-9 overall. Denver, which got 20 points from Jeremiah Burke, fell to 8-10. The Jackrabbits sealed the win at the free-throw line, making 19 of 25 attempts.

BROOKINGS, S.D. (Interstat) — In a game defined by a dominant interior presence and a decisive second-half surge, the South Dakota State Jackrabbits overcame a halftime deficit to defeat the Denver Pioneers 87-79 in a Summit League men’s basketball contest Thursday night at Frost Arena. A crowd of 2,127 watched as the Jackrabbits, led by a powerful performance from forward Damon Wilkinson, outscored the Pioneers 54-44 after intermission to pull away. The victory improved South Dakota State to 9-9 overall, while Denver fell to 8-10. The most critical phase of the game unfolded in the opening minutes of the second half, where South Dakota State erased Denver’s slim 35-33 halftime lead and established control for good. The Jackrabbits opened the period on a 14-4 run, fueled by relentless attacks in the paint and a sudden uptick in defensive pressure. Wilkinson, a 6-foot-10 junior from De Smet, South Dakota, was the central figure, scoring six points during the burst. The run transformed a two-point deficit into a 47-39 lead, a margin Denver would spend the rest of the game chasing but never overcoming. Wilkinson finished with 19 points, showcasing efficiency around the rim and controlling the glass with multiple key defensive rebounds that ignited the South Dakota State transition game. He was complemented by a balanced backcourt effort. Jaden Jackson of Bellevue, Nebraska, scored 17 points and dished out four assists, while Joe Sayler of White River, South Dakota, added 18 points and three assists. The Jackrabbits’ offense was potent, scoring 87 points on 73 possessions for an offensive rating of 119.4, and they capitalized at the free-throw line, making 19 of 25 attempts. Denver, which had led for much of a choppy first half, was carried by the scoring of guard Carson Johnson. The junior from Ankeny, Iowa, poured in a game-high 27 points, including three shots from beyond the arc. Forward Jeremiah Burke of Milwaukee contributed 20 points, and Logan Kinsey of Blaine, Minnesota, added 12. The Pioneers struggled to find consistent offense outside of their top scorers, shooting just 43.5 percent from the field and managing only six assists as a team. Despite the loss, Denver competed on the boards, grabbing 14 offensive rebounds to South Dakota State’s 10, and forced nine Jackrabbit turnovers. However, they could not contain South Dakota State’s interior scoring, as the Jackrabbits shot 50 percent from the field, largely on the strength of Wilkinson’s play and drives from Jackson and Sayler. The game was a statistical contrast. South Dakota State’s efficiency from the floor and the charity stripe ultimately outweighed Denver’s volume shooting and offensive rebounding. The Jackrabbits’ second-half explosion, where they shot 54 points on significantly improved execution, proved the difference. The win was a return to form for South Dakota State at home following a road overtime loss to North Dakota in their previous outing. Denver, coming off a narrow loss at Saint Thomas, has now dropped two straight Summit League games. South Dakota State next travels to face North Dakota State on Wednesday. Denver continues its road trip with a game at South Dakota on Saturday.

Preview: Denver at South Dakota State in Summit League Men’s Basketball BROOKINGS, S.D. (Interstat) — Two teams seeking momentum to push their records above .500 will meet Thursday when the Denver Pioneers visit the South Dakota State Jackrabbits in a Summit League men’s basketball matchup. Both teams enter Frost Arena with identical 8-9 overall records. The conference opener for each squad represents a fresh start after inconsistent non-conference play. Denver arrives following a narrow 92-88 road loss at Saint Thomas (Minn.) on Sunday. The Pioneers have shown offensive firepower, averaging 87.5 points in their last four games, but have struggled defensively, allowing 90.3 points per game in that stretch. The Pioneers are led by guard Zane Nelson, who is coming off a stellar 24-point, nine-rebound, six-assist performance in the loss to Saint Thomas. Over his last seven games, Nelson is averaging 18.1 points, 4.1 rebounds and 3.1 assists, serving as the focal point of Denver’s attack. Jeremiah Burke (19 points) and Gabe Oldham (10 points, seven rebounds) also provided key contributions in the team’s last outing. South Dakota State looks to rebound from a heartbreaking 90-87 overtime loss at North Dakota on Saturday. The Jackrabbits have lost four of their last five, though the defeats include close road losses to North Dakota and Milwaukee, plus a matchup with then-Arizona. The Jackrabbits counter with their own standout guard in Jaden Jackson, who logged 44 minutes and scored 22 points with six rebounds in the overtime loss. Joe Sayler erupted for 27 points in that game, providing a potent scoring tandem. Jackson has averaged 15.8 points over his last five contests. The game will hinge on which team can impose its defensive will. Denver’s high-paced offense will test a South Dakota State team that has allowed 87.6 points per game during its 1-4 slide. Conversely, the Pioneers must find answers on the road, where they are 2-5 this season, to contain Jackson and Sayler. Thursday’s winner will gain an early advantage in the Summit League standings, while the loser will fall to 0-1 in conference play. Tipoff is set for 8 p.m. EST at Frost Arena.