KANSAS CITY, Mo. — In a thrilling matchup on Thursday night, Oscar Cluff shone for South Dakota State, leading the team to a narrow victory over Kansas City, finishing the game with 23 points, resulting in a score of 65-64.

With just 2:39 remaining in the game, Matthew Mors stepped up to sink two crucial free throws, propelling the Jackrabbits to a 65-62 advantage. Cluff’s impressive performance didn’t stop at scoring; he also recorded a remarkable 19 rebounds along with four blocks, demonstrating his all-around abilities on both ends of the court for South Dakota State, now boasting a record of 13-8 overall and 4-2 in the Summit League. Mors also played a significant role, contributing 10 points and displaying shooting accuracy with 3 of 3 from the field and hitting 3 of his 4 attempts from the charity stripe.

On the opposing side, Kansas City, which now sits at 10-11 overall and 2-4 in their league standings, was spearheaded by Anderson Kopp, who led his team by scoring 19 points. Jayson Petty supported the effort with 11 points and two steals, adding to the Roos’ competitive edge throughout the game.

Looking ahead, both teams are scheduled to compete again on Saturday. South Dakota State will take on South Dakota in their home game, while Kansas City will host St. Thomas, seeking to bounce back from this close defeat.