Early on, buffaloes rule; Jackrabbits Fight Back
Beginning strong, the Colorado Buffaloes ran to an early 13-4 lead in the first four minutes of the game. Isaac Lindsey and Kalen Garry late in the first half closed the difference with back-to–back 3-pointers, South Dakota State battled bravely. Colorado leading 40-35 at the intermission, Stoney Hadnot’s lay-off seconds before the halftime buzzer got the Jackrabbits within five points.
Rally of Second Half by South Dakota State
Colorado started the second half with a four-point blast that stretched their advantage to nine. But the Jackrabbits went on an amazing 11-2 run, highlighted by a Joe Sayler basket that tied the game at 46-46 with just under 15 minutes left. With 10:08 to go, Matthew Mors’ layoff of an assist from Oscar Cluff gave SDSU its first lead of the game at 56-55.
Colorado responds with a game-changing thrust
The Jackrabbits’ lead was fleeting since Colorado’s Elijah Malone sank a crucial 3-pointer, putting the Buffs ahead of 58-56. Julian Hammond III came next with another key 3-pointer, and the Buffaloes maintained their momentum never letting the Jackrabbits cut the difference to a single possession once more.
Though SDSU persisted, Colorado secured the win with Hammond III’s clinching four-point play in the last minute, so increasing their record to an amazing 7-0 at home and 8-2 overall.
Key Stats and Standout Performances
- Julian Hammond III: Colorado’s star of the night, leading all scorers with a career-high 23 points, shooting 8-for-14 from the field, and adding six assists.
- Team Efficiency: Colorado excelled at the free-throw line, hitting 18 of 19 (94.7%), including a remarkable 16-for-17 in the second half.
- South Dakota State Highlights: Joe Sayler led the Jackrabbits with 16 points, followed by Kalen Garry with 12. Matthew Mors, Jaden Jackson, and Stoney Hadnot each contributed eight points. Oscar Cluff tallied nine points, nine rebounds, and four assists.
Resilience of SDSU in Face of Obstacles
Colorado’s better rebounding (34-26) and clutch plays made all the difference even though both teams tried 56 field goals. With their 3-point accuracy, shooting 44% (11 of 25), SDSU amazed; Colorado was held to only 29% (7 of 24) from beyond the arc.
For the Jackrabbits, what is next?
Returning home to meet Chadron State on Thursday, December 19, at the First Bank & Trust Arena, South Dakota State hopes to recover. Using their great 3-point shooting and depth, the Jackrabbits will want to land a much-needed win.