BROOKINGS, S.D. – South Dakota men's basketball fell to South Dakota State 70-67 Sunday afternoon inside Frost Arena.
 
South Dakota (9-15, 2-7 Summit) was led by junior transfer Kaleb Stewart. Stewart scored 27 points on 57.8 percent shooting from the field and knocked down three triples. He also grabbed a career-high six rebounds. Senior forward Lahat Thioune tallied his 10^th double-double of the season with 13 points and 10 rebounds. Thioune continues to lead the Summit in double-doubles and rebounding.
 
Junior guard Paul Bruns had 11 points off the bench and hit three triples for the Coyotes. Isaac Bruns had five points, including a huge three-pointer that made it a two-point game with just under two seconds to play.
 
South Dakota State (13-11, 6-3 Summit) had four Jacks reach double-figures and was led by a double-double of 16 points and 11 boards from William Kyle III. The 6-9 forward went 6-of-8 from the field and knocked down all four of his free throw attempts. Luke Appel followed with 15 points and Zeke Mayo and Charlie Easley each added 12 points for the Jacks.
 
In true rivalry fashion it was a back-and-forth battle from the beginning. South Dakota came out of the gate hot and shot 50 percent from the field and from three in the first half to take a one-point lead into halftime. It was the first time the Coyotes have held the lead at halftime since they defeated NDSU on Dec. 29.
 
The second half was closely contested in a game that saw nine lead changes and seven ties. The Coyotes were able to cut the lead and take over a couple times but the Jackrabbits' free throw shooting came up clutch in the final possessions.
 
South Dakota returns home to host Denver on Feb. 8 inside the Sanford Coyote Sports Center.