BROOKINGS, S.D., Feb. 12 ? South Dakota State outscored Southern Utah 24-11 in the final 5:47 to overcome a 58-50 deficit and hand Southern Utah a 74-69 Summit League setback Thursday night.
    After playing to a 29-29 halftime tie the Thunderbirds hit their first nine shots of the second half to build the eight point lead. SUU had opportunities to push the advantage higher but Tyler Quinney and Jaren Jeffery both missed medium range jumpers and although the Jackrabbits failed to capitalize after Quinney's miss, they converted after Jeffery's.
    Kai Williams grabbed Jeffery's miss and had the next three rebounds overall after Thunderbird misses. The Jackrabbits were able to convert baskets on the other end all three times, including once when SUU chose to leave Michael Palarca alone on the perimeter, opting instead to pack the defense inside. Palarca, a 23 percent shooter from long-range, however hit a deep three to pull SDSU within 58-55, and after a missed Cory Davis three and a Williams rebound, Dale Moss scored on a dunk to pull the ?Jacks within one.
    SUU finally scored, on a 3-pointer by Davis Baker, to give the Thunderbirds a 57 advantage but SDSU answered with a 9-2 run.
    The Thunderbirds weren't done, however, as they pulled back within 68-67 on a pair of free throws by Baker with 24 seconds to go but Dave Marek slipped and fell into Garrett Callahan in the backcourt during a full-court press. The officials called a foul, sending Callahan to the free throw line where he hit both his attempts.
    Davis missed another 3-point attempt on SUU's ensuing possession and after Griffan Callahan grabbed the rebound and was fouled, Callahan hit both free throws to ice the game for the ?Jacks.
    “This was a very disappointing loss,” SUU Roger Reid said. “We had the lead and the momentum but we weren't able to maintain it. We weren't able to get to the free throw line and they were, and they hit their free throws down the stretch when theyt needed them.”
    Baker finished with a game-high 26 points ? one off his career-high ? to lead Southern Utah, while Garrett Callahan scored 24 to lead the Jackrabbits.
    SUU was also largely without the services of leading rebounder and third-leading scorer John Clifford, who sat the last 16:01 of the first half after picking up his second foul, then was whistled for two quick fouls in the first two minutes of the second half, sending him back to the bench. The Summit League's leading rebounder finished with just three and only two points.    
    Jeffery, who filled in for Clifford, scored a career-high 12 points and pulled down a career-best eight rebounds.
    SDSU was a bit shorthanded too, as guard Clint Sargent, a 14.7 points per game scorer, twisted his ankle and left the game after playing just six minutes.

-- SUU --