Strong second half leads SDSU over Duquesne

GEORGE TOWN, Cayman Islands South Dakota State used a 13-0 scoring run in the second half to lead the Jackrabbits to a 71-60 win on Sunday in the opening round of the Cayman Islands Classic at John Gray Gymnasium.

The Jacks played well in the first half, building a 23-17 lead on a Matthew Mors 3-pointer with 7:45 left in the first half, but the Dukes responded, tying the game on David Dixons layup and taking a 27-26 lead on a 3-pointer by Jakub Necas with 4:48 left in the half.

Ultimately, both teams went into halftime tied at 33-33 and Duquesne ripped off a 6-0 run to begin the second half. SDSU tied the game on Kalen Garrys 3-pointer with 15:21 left in the game and the game remained within a single position until the Jacks run began on a 3-pointer by Joe Sayler with 8:54 remaining.

The Jacks extended their 52-51 lead on a pair of jumpers in the paint by Oscar Cluff and Garry before Cluffs tip-in on a missed lay-up gave SDSU its largest lead of the game at 59-51 with 5:57 to play.

Cluff added a pair of free throws and a layup to conclude the run and the double-digit lead held up until the final horn to help SDSU improve to 5-1 on the season.

Garry led the Jacks with a season-high 20 points while adding five rebounds and four assists.

Cluff put up his fourth double-double of the year, scoring 17 points and grabbing 11 rebounds to go with five assists.

Matthew Mors added a season-high 15 points while Owen Larson had 11 points and eight rebounds.

Tre Dinkins led Duquesne with 19 points. Maximus Edwards scored 11 points and grabbed five rebounds. Jake DiMichele had 10 points.

SDSU shot 49 percent from the floor including 10-for-21 (47.6%) from the 3-point line. The Jacks also made 13-of-18 (72.2%) free throws and outrebounded the Dukes 37-28 while committing 16 turnovers.

Duquesne shot 37.7% including 9-for-38 (23.7%) on 3-pointers. The Dukes also made 5-of-11 (45.5%) free throws and committed nine turnovers.

The Jacks will continue the Cayman Islands Classic when they face Boise State at 12:30 p.m. CST Monday.