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BROOKINGS, S.D – The North Dakota State men's basketball team cut its deficit to three points on three different occasions in the second half, but South Dakota State ultimately prevailed 78-73 on Wednesday night at Frost Arena.
 
Senior Tyson Ward finished with 24 points, eight rebounds and five assists for NDSU.
 
South Dakota State got 21 points from sophomore forward Matt Dentlinger and 20 from junior forward Douglas Wilson. The Jackrabbits shot 56 percent for the game, compared to 48 percent for the Bison.
 
SDSU led 34-22 at halftime after the Bison shot just 33 percent in the opening half. NDSU stormed out of the gates in the second half, pulling within three at 41-38 with 15:00 remaining.
 
A three-pointer by Ward cut the SDSU advantage to 55-52 with just under eight minutes left, but the Jackrabbits scored the next six straight points to push it back to 61-52.
 
Kreuser hit a three-pointer to make it 64-60 SDSU with 4:27 on the clock. NDSU came up empty on the next two possessions, and never got closer than four the rest of the way.
 
NDSU committed only six turnovers in the game. SDSU won the rebounding battle, 35-25. The Bison scored 51 points in the second half, but couldn't overcome a 22-to-9 shortfall in free throw attempts.
 
The Bison return home to play Denver on Saturday at 2 p.m.