TULSA, Okla. — In an engaging college basketball face-off, South Dakota State’s Oscar Cluff delivered an impressive performance with 22 points, 12 rebounds, and five assists, steering his team to a 77-69 victory against Oral Roberts on Thursday night.
During the intense matchup, Kalen Garry hit a crucial 3-pointer that extended South Dakota State’s advantage to 72-67 with just over two minutes remaining. The Jackrabbits then maintained control of the game by effectively capitalizing on free throw opportunities in the closing moments.
Additional contributions to South Dakota State’s success came from Joe Sayler, who scored 12 points, and Jaden Jackson, who added 11 points. This win placed the Jackrabbits (20-10, 11-4 Summit League) in a shared position with St. Thomas-Minnesota and trailing only league leader Omaha by one game.
For Oral Roberts, Issac McBride led with 23 points, showing strong effort despite the loss. Sam Alajiki also made a notable impact with 18 points and eight rebounds for the Golden Eagles, while Jalen Miller added 11 points to their tally. The game featured a thrilling 14 lead changes and was tied nine times, highlighting the competitive nature of both teams.
Looking ahead, the regular season comes to a close on Saturday as South Dakota State travels to face Denver, and Oral Roberts meets Omaha, setting the stage for crucial matchups for both teams in the Summit League.
