The South Dakota State Jackrabbits dominated the Oral Roberts Golden Eagles 87-69, with Kalen Garry leading the way with 18 points. South Dakota State's 51-point second half, which included a 15-5 run in the first 5 minutes, was too much for Oral Roberts to handle. The Golden Eagles' Ty Harper scored 25 points, but it wasn't enough to overcome the Jackrabbits' balanced attack, which featured three players with 15 points or more. South Dakota State's 18-point margin of victory exceeded the predicted margin of 4.7 points, showcasing their impressive performance.
Ty Harper's 25 Points Mark His 10th 20-Point Game of the Season
The game started with South Dakota State taking an early 10-5 lead, but Oral Roberts fought back to trail by only 7 points at halftime, 36-29. However, the Jackrabbits' second-half surge, which included 51 points on 55.6% shooting, proved insurmountable for the Golden Eagles. Oral Roberts' Ty Harper scored 15 of his 25 points in the second half, but South Dakota State's defense held the rest of the team to just 24 points. The Jackrabbits' 87 points were their highest total in 5 games, and their 18-point margin of victory was their largest in 10 games. At one point, South Dakota State led by as many as 22 points, with 5:12 remaining in the game.
Kalen Garry and Damon Wilkinson led the charge for South Dakota State, scoring 18 and 15 points, respectively. Jaden Jackson also contributed 15 points, including 3 three-pointers. For Oral Roberts, Ty Harper was the standout performer, scoring 25 points and dishing out 5 assists. Luke Gray added 12 points and 5 rebounds, while Connor Dow chipped in with 12 points. South Dakota State's balanced attack, which featured 5 players with 8 points or more, was too much for Oral Roberts to handle. The Jackrabbits' top 3 scorers combined for 48 points, while the Golden Eagles' top 3 scorers combined for 49 points.
CHD Scout Report Card
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South Dakota State outshot Oral Roberts 51.9% to 41.9% from the field, including 42.9% to 33.3% from three-point range. The Jackrabbits also outrebounded the Golden Eagles 35-28, with 12 offensive rebounds leading to 15 second-chance points. Oral Roberts committed 14 turnovers, which led to 18 points for South Dakota State. The Jackrabbits' 87 points were their highest total in a road game this season, and their 18-point margin of victory was their largest in a road game in 2 years. South Dakota State's 51 points in the second half were their highest total in a half this season.
The CHD Scout model predicted a South Dakota State victory by 4.7 points, and while the actual margin of victory was 18 points, the model was correct in predicting the winner. The model's predicted score of 73-77 was close, but the actual score of 87-69 was more one-sided than expected. The model's accuracy in predicting the winner is a reflection of its ability to analyze team performance and predict outcomes. However, the model underestimated the margin of victory, highlighting the importance of considering multiple factors when making predictions. With 12 correct predictions in their last 15 games, the CHD Scout model continues to demonstrate its value in predicting college basketball outcomes.
This game was a Quadrant 4 game for both teams, with Oral Roberts currently ranked 332 in the NET rankings and South Dakota State ranked 213. The loss drops Oral Roberts to 6-21 on the season, while South Dakota State improves to 12-15. The win is a significant one for the Jackrabbits, as it gives them a much-needed boost in the NET rankings and improves their chances of making a postseason tournament. With 5 games remaining in the regular season, South Dakota State want to build on this momentum and make a push for a higher seed in the conference tournament. Oral Roberts, on the other hand, must regroup and focus on finishing the season strong, despite their disappointing record.
South Dakota State's next game is on February 17 against the North Dakota State Bison, while Oral Roberts will face the Denver Pioneers on February 18. Both games matters for the teams as they look to finish the season strong and make a push for the postseason. With the conference tournament just around the corner, every game counts, and both teams want to make a statement in their upcoming matchups.