Jan. 5, 2008

Box Score

Brookings, SD - South Dakota State forward Kai Williams had a game-high 19 points and 10 rebounds as the Jackrabbits topped IPFW, 73-60 on Saturday night at Frost Arena.

The loss was IPFW's third straight, and ninth overall, on the road this year.

The Mastodons led just once in the ballgame, taking a 9-8 advantage at the 16:57 mark of the opening half on a 3-pointer from freshman guard Zach Plackemeier.

South Dakota State quickly regained the lead on a pair of baskets from center Ben Beran and held a 33-26 cushion at the half.

IPFW came out in the second half and got to within two as senior forward Jaraun Burrows beat the Jackrabbits down the floor for a fastbreak dunk.

Unfortunately, the 'Dons couldn't sustain their comeback, and on a dunk by Williams, the Jacks took a commanding, 57-40 lead.

IPFW couldn't get any closer than 11 the rest of the way.  That came courtesy of a Plackemeier layup with 2:34 left in the contest.

Plackemeier led the Mastodons (5-10, 2-2) with 13 points. 

Burrows had 12 points and five blocks, and freshman guard Ben Botts finished with 11.

Williams recorded a double-double with 19 points and 10 rebounds for South Dakota State, which won for the first time in conference play (6-9, 1-3).

Guard Garrett Callahan had 18 points and Beran chipped in 11.

After winning their first two Summit League games, IPFW has now lost two in-a-row.

IPFW will return home for a pair of Summit League contests next week.  The 'Dons host Oral Roberts on Thursday afternoon at 1 p.m.  They will host Centenary in a men's/women's doubleheader on Saturday afternoon.  The women's contest tips off at 4:00 p.m. followed by the men at 7:00 p.m.

Note:  IPFW was again without the services of starting point guard Demetrius Johnson who was injured in practice earlier this week.

~Dons~