Sargent scores 18 points as South Dakota State holds off Centenary 81-75

South Dakota State defeats Centenary 81-75

NEW ORLEANS — Clint Sargent scored 18 points and South Dakota State held off Centenary 81-75 on Thursday night.

Nate Wolters added 17 points, and Garrett Callahan and Kai Williams each had 10 for the Jackrabbits (11-10, 7-3 Summit League), who had defeated Centenary 89-59 on Jan. 2.

Trailing 18-9 in the first half, the Jackrabbits closed the half on a 20-5 run to lead 29-23 at the break. They never trailed in the second half, but the game was tied twice.

Clinging to a 59-57 lead, South Dakota State used a 9-3 spurt to push the advantage to 68-60 with 4:13 to play.

The Jackrabbits made 11 3-pointers and shot 43.4 percent (23-for-53) from the field for the game. After a poor-shooting first half, the Jackrabbits made 14 of 27 field goal attempts (51.9 percent) in the second half.

David Perez had 19 points and Daman Starring added 17 points for the Gentlemen (7-14, 2-8).