VERMILLION, S.D. (AP) — Jackson Stevenett scored a career-high 26 points, and Southern Utah erased a 10-point deficit in the final 5:28 of regulation and went on to beat South Dakota 81-75 in overtime Wednesday.
Stevenett had five points during the 15-3 run, capping it with a jumper that gave the Thunderbirds (6-6, 1-1 Summit League) a 70-68 lead with 43 seconds left. Louie Krogman hit two free throws for the Coyotes (5-7, 0-3) with 28 seconds remaining to tie it.
Ray Jones Jr., who had 16 points and nine assists, missed a layup that would have won it in regulation, but Southern Utah never trailed in overtime. Damon Heuir (14 points) hit a key 3-pointer before the Thunderbirds put the game away with free throws.
Krogman led the Coyotes with 21 points, and Charlie Westbrook scored 20. It was the first-ever meeting between the schools, which play again Jan. 28 at Southern Utah.
