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All five South Dakota starters scored in double figures during an 85-74 win against Montana State Sunday in an ESPN BracketBusters matchup at Worthington Arena. The win snaps a six-game skid for the Coyotes (9-18), their longest such streak in 26 seasons.
USD point guard Brandon Bos made four three-pointers and scored a game-high 21 points – two shy of his career high. Juevol Myles scored 12 of his 16 points in the second half. The Coyotes shot 49 percent from the field, made 10 three’s and were 21 of 24 from the free-throw line.
Xavier Blount scored 16 points and Antonio Biglow added 15 to lead the Grizzlies (10-15), who dropped their third straight at home and fifth straight overall. Together the duo combined to make 10 of 13 shots. Montana State shot 46 percent from the field, made seven three’s and was 17 of 20 from the stripe.
Montana State scored the game’s first 11 points and led 19-8 with nine minutes to go in the first half. The Coyotes started 3 of 16 from the floor before making their move.
Trevor Gruis and Tyler Flack combined to outscore the Grizzlies 14-4 during the next four minutes. Casey Kasperbauer and Bos followed with back-to-back threes. Flack’s two free throws with 2:42 left completed a 22-4 run that swung the game and gave South Dakota a 30-23 lead. The ‘Yotes led 36-29 at halftime and did not trail the rest of the way.
South Dakota’s lead was 61-56 with seven minutes to go. Myles scored a layup, Kasperbauer hit a 3 and Myles converted a three-point play to complete an 8-0 run. Montana State closed to 69-63 with four minutes left, but South Dakota scored 11 straight to seal the win.
Kasperbauer’s line read 14 points, four rebounds, four assists and three steals. He made all three 3’s he took in the second half and had four in the game. Gruis finished with 14 points and seven rebounds. Flack scored nine of his 11 points during the 22-4 run. Steve Tecker didn’t miss a shot Sunday and was responsible for all nine of USD’s points off the bench.
Courtesy: Bryan Boettcher, USD
