SIOUX FALLS, S.D. -- North Dakota State appeared to take control of the game with a big run midway through the second half. However, the Bison had to fend off South Dakota State's surge down the stretch to earn a return trip to the NCAA Tournament.
North Dakota State holds off South Dakota State for NCAA tournament bid
Lawrence Alexander scored 17 of his 25 points in the second half to help North Dakota State hold on for a 57-56 win Tuesday night to take the Summit League tournament title and an automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament. After cutting a nine-point deficit to one in the final minute, the Jackrabbits fouled Alexander with 8 seconds remaining and he missed the front end of a 1-and-1, giving South Dakota State a final shot.
However, George Marshall's 3-point attempt was wide left.
"We maybe got a little impatient offensively, but they're a great team," North Dakota State coach David Richman said. "It's a game of runs, and that's going to happen."
A.J. Jacobson added 12 points and eight rebounds for the Bison (23-9), who advanced to the NCAA Tournament for the third time in school history.
Last year, they beat Oklahoma in their first game.
Cody Larson scored 19 points to lead the Jackrabbits (23-10), and Deondre Parks added 13 points and six rebounds. The Bison had a 17-4 run in the second half and led by nine with just over 6 minutes remaining. However, the Jackrabbits rallied to pull within one in the final minute. South Dakota State had a chance to take its first lead since the 11:11 mark, but George Marshall's shot was blocked out of bounds with 8 seconds remaining.
The call on the court originally went to the South Dakota State, but after an official review, possession was given to North Dakota State. The Jackrabbits were forced to put Alexander -- an 81-percent free-throw shooter -- on the line.
"We wanted this stage," Richman said. "We knew our backs were going to be against the wall in a hostile environment with a pro-South Dakota State crowd. But they've (North Dakota State players) handled so many things down the stretch this year."
Despite the missed free throw, Alexander was named the tournament's MVP.
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Keegan Cook coached Washington for eight seasons, including a 2020 Final Four trip. The Huskies insist there are no hard feelings heading into Thursday’s game at Maturi Pavilion.