VERMILLION, S.D. — Facing a 14-point deficit at halftime to the Summit League leaders, North Dakota State, the South Dakota basketball team stormed back to force overtime but would ultimately fall 89-84. 
 
The trio of Jordan Crawford, Uzziah Buntyn and Cameron Fens accounted for 74 of USD's 84 points on a combined 54.5% from the field. Crawford dropped a career-high 33 points with a new best of seven 3-pointers. He finished the game 11-of-19 from the field and had one steal.
 
After a career-high 26 points Thursday night, Buntyn filled the stat sheet with 25 points, six rebounds, four assists and four steals. Fens added 16 points, eight boards and a pair of blocks. 
 
The Bison had all cylinders firing in the first half with a 51.6 shooting percentage and six 3-pointers, while holding USD to 10-of-25 shooting. NDSU's defense forced nine Coyote turnovers, which turned into 15 Bison points. A sluggish start for the Coyotes saw the Bison take a 10-0 lead, and NDSU would carry a double-digit lead for the majority of the first half. Looking to flip the momentum going into halftime, a steal from Buntyn led to a Fens slam dunk with five seconds left, but the Bison would have the final say when Andy Stefonowicz connected on a 3-pointer a step inside the halfcourt line as the buzzer sounded.
 
Buntyn started the second half with a triple, but the Bison would score the next five to take their largest lead of the night at 44-28. Crawford curbed the NDSU momentum with two of his five treys in the second half, and the Yotes cut the deficit back to single digits. South Dakota continued to fight, staying within striking range behind the efforts of Crawford and Buntyn who combined for 37 points in the second half. The duo combined for 16 straight USD points, as the Coyotes broke through the Bison lead to grab a 71-70 advantage with 2:29 left. The score would tie twice in the final minute, and the game would head to overtime knotted at 74-74.
 
The teams traded baskets early in OT with the lead changing hands three times, but the Bison took an 85-80 edge off seven straight points. USD pulled within three but was held off as the Bison remained perfect in Summit League play with an 89-84 win. 
 
South Dakota will hit the road next week starting on Wednesday when they face Kansas City at 7 p.m. in Kansas City, Missouri. 
 
Notes

• South Dakota moves to 12-12 on the season, 4-5 in the conference and 10-4 at home
• Jordan Crawford set new career highs with 33 points and seven made 3-pointers
• Uzziah Buntyn scored 25 points, his second straight game with 25+
• Vince Buzelis made his first start in a Coyote uniform
• The Coyotes knocked down 10+ 3-pointers for the fourth time in conference play