VERMILLION, S.D. -- The Omaha men's basketball team put up a staunch road effort Saturday night but came up short, falling 97-93 to South Dakota at the Sanford Coyote Sports Center.
 
Leaders for Omaha
La'Mel Robinson had a breakout performance, scoring a career-high 23 points on 9-of-14 shooting with a trio of threes.
 
Marlon Ruffin followed with 19 points on an 8-of-12 night alongside seven rebounds and a pair of assists.
 
Matt Pile tallied his second double-double of the year on 16 points and a game-high 13 rebounds, hitting 7-of-11 from the field. And Nick Ferrarini had a career night of his own, finishing 5-of-7 from the floor – including 3-of-4 from deep -- en route to 15 points in 16 minutes of work.
 
Ayo Akinwole added nine points with a team-leading five assists.
 
Leaders for South Dakota
AJ Plitzuweit had a game-high 37 points on 14-of-23 shooting with five 3-pointers. Stanley Umude was 10-of-15 for 24 points alongside eight boards, five assists and two blocks.
 
Xavier Fuller also finished in double figures with 15 points, as did Kruz Perrott-Hunt with 10.
 
Team Stats
Omaha put together a solid shooting night at a season-best 57% (36-of-63), finishing 10-of-17 from beyond the arc and 11-of-13 from the free throw line.
 
South Dakota shot 61% (37-of-61) from the field with 12 triples.
 
The Mavericks outrebounded USD 32-30.
 
Inside the First Half
After finding themselves down 12 in the first nine minutes, Omaha reeled off a 25-9 flurry to finish the first half, including an 11-1 stretch to put them in front 35-34.
 
Robinson dug in his heels late, scoring nine of his 11 first-half points in the final seven minutes. Pile had 10 points and seven boards of his own in the first half.
 
Ruffin, who scored eight in the first half, hit a three with 44 seconds to go that spotted Omaha an eight-point advantage. The Mavericks led 45-40 at the break.
 
Inside the Second Half
After a back-and-forth start to the second half, USD surged ahead on the back of a 12-0 run and took an 82-69 lead with 6:21 to play.
 
But Ferrarini ignited in the final four minutes, scoring 13 points with the help of three 3-pointers. A Robinson pull-up three made it 90-85 with 90 seconds to go, and Ferrarini immediately canned another to make a two-point game. But two late opportunities to tie it came up short, and USD hung on for the 97-93 final.
 
Noting Tonight's Game
-La'Mel Robinson has scored in double figures in four of the last five games.
-Tonight marked Omaha's season best for threes made as a team.
-Omaha is now 2-14 (0-6 Summit League) on the season. The Coyotes' ninth straight win keeps them unbeaten in league play at 10-6 (8-0).
 
Up Next
Omaha returns home next weekend, welcoming Western Illinois to Baxter Arena for two games, Feb. 6-7. Tipoff both nights is set for 8 p.m., and Gary Sharp and Kyler Erickson will have the radio calls on 1290 KOIL and 1180 The Zone. Links to live video, audio and stats will be available on OMavs.com.
 
Socially-distanced single-game tickets are available for purchase through Ticketmaster, OMavs.com/MyMav or by phone at (402) 554-MAVS. Tickets must be purchased in advance, as walkup sales will not be permitted at Baxter Arena.