OMAHA, Neb. – Both the Mavericks and Jackrabbits shot over 52 percent from the field Thursday night, but South Dakota State found a bit more success from long-range connecting on 14 attempts from the arc. The Jackrabbits went on to win 95-86 to remain perfect in league play.
The Mavericks fall to 3-15 overall and 2-5 in Summit League action.
Leaders for Omaha
Nick Ferrarini was 6-of-10 from the field with three three-pointers to lead Omaha with 17 points. Kyle Luedtke and Darrius Hughes added 16 and 15 points, respectively, off the bench. Marco Smith (14), and Frankie Fidler (13) also scored double-figures on the night.
Fidler and Luedtke led the Mavericks with five rebounds apiece, while Smith tallied a team-high six assists.
Leaders for South Dakota State
Baylor Scheierman led all-scorers with 26 points. He was 7-of-9 from the field and a perfect 6-for-6 from deep. He notched 11 boards for the double-double.
Matt Dentlinger added 25 points and seven boards off the bench, while Charlie Easley (13) and Zeke Mayo (11) also scored double-digits on the night. Mayo dished out a game-high nine assists.
Team Stats
The Mavericks shot 52.4 percent from the field and 54.4 percent from the arc. The Jackrabbits finished shooting 54.8 percent from the field and knocked down 14 threes.
Omaha's bench outscored SDSU's, 48-34. SDSU held a small advantage in the paint, 34-32.
Inside the First Half
The Mavericks and Jackrabbits went back and forth to tipoff Thursday's contest. Hughes checked in after the first three minutes and provided a spark off the bench. He scored on back-to-back Omaha possessions for a one-point Maverick lead. Scheierman responded with a three pointer that Hughes would match in the paint on the next trip down to tie it 12-12. Hughes, Smith, and Felix Lemetti went on an 8-0 run to take a 22-17 lead with 11:29 left in the half.
A little over two minutes later the Jackrabbits stormed ahead with a 20-0 run sparked by another three-pointer from Scheierman. SDSU held Omaha scoreless until the 4:29 mark when Ferrarini connected from deep. Ferrarini and Fidler then combined for a 7-0 run under the four-minute mark to cut the lead to six. Scheierman took hit a three at the buzzer for a 49-40 Jackrabbit lead to end the half.
Inside the Second Half
The Mavericks cut the lead to single digits four times in the first two and a half minutes of the second half, but the Jackrabbits quickly pulled away to lead by 17 points on a three-pointer from Scheierman with just under 13 to play in the half. Dentlinger kept the lead at 17 with five straight points ending on a dunk at the 11:17 mark.
Omaha went on a 9-0 run capped with a three from Smith helping cut the SDSU lead, 78-70. Luedtke and Fidler kept Mavericks within single digits under the five-minute mark, but the Jackrabbits extended it back to 14 on a Mayo three. Despite a last second three-pointer from Smith, Omaha fell 95-86.
Noting Tonight's Game
-Ferrarini has now scored double-figures in the last four games.
-This marks the second time this season Omaha has had five players notch double-figure scoring efforts.
Up Next
Omaha heads to Vermillion, South Dakota Saturday. Tipoff between the Mavericks and Coyotes is set for 4 p.m.
Gary Sharp will have the call on 1180 KZOT. Links to the stream, audio, and live stats can be found on OMavs.com.
