BROOKINGS, S.D. — A scorching-hot shooting night for the South Dakota State men’s basketball team sent them sailing past Western Illinois, 91-66, to a regular-season Summit League title and the best start in conference history on Thursday night at Frost Arena.
The Jackrabbits (24-4, 15-0 Summit League) shot 33-of-52 (63.5%) on field goals for the game, including 11 for 20 (55%) mark from 3-point range for the nation’s top long-range shooting team.
👑 𝗥𝗘𝗚𝗨𝗟𝗔𝗥. 𝗦𝗘𝗔𝗦𝗢𝗡. 𝗖𝗛𝗔𝗠𝗣𝗦. 👑
— Jackrabbit Basketball (@GoJacksMBB) February 18, 2022
The Jacks secure the title with their 15th straight conference victory, which is the best start in Summit League history. pic.twitter.com/Fm9HJi338K
Charlie Easley spearheaded the effort early on, connecting on all six shot attempts — five of which came from behind the 3-point line — on his way to 17 first-half points. Douglas Wilson wasn’t far behind, also putting up 17 points on 7 of 9 shooting in the first 20 minutes.
Wilson finished with a game-high 21 points and six rebounds, while Easley had 19 points and seven rebounds. Baylor Scheierman nearly recorded a triple-double with 19 points, eight rebounds and eight assists.
K.J. Lee scored 15 points off the bench behind three 3-point field goals, as Trenton Massner added 14 points and eight rebounds for the Leathernecks (15-12, 6-9 Summit). Cameron Burrell also scored 10 points for WIU, which shot 43.9% from the field and 31% from behind the arc.
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The Jackrabbits stay in Brookings to take on St. Thomas at 2 p.m. Saturday.
