South Dakota State dropped its first game of the New Year, 82-74, Wednesday evening at Western Illinois.
SDSU (8-10, 1-2 Summit League) shot 41.5 percent in the game with eight 3-pointers and a 22 of 29 effort at the free throw line, but WIU (5-9, 2-1 Summit League) hit 16 3-pointers, and shot 41.9 percent from the field as a team to secure the win.
A.J. Hess paced the team with a double-double of 13 points and 14 rebounds (a career-high), while Michael Orris led the team in scoring with 17 points. Reed Tellinghuisen added 15 points and six rebounds for the game and Chris Howell just missed double figures, finishing with nine points.
SDSU leading scorer Mike Daum faced foul trouble throughout and finished with eight points before fouling out.
Four Leathernecks were in double figures as Garret Covington led the team with 22 points.
WIU scored the final five points of the half, but for the third consecutive game the Jackrabbits took a lead into the locker room, ahead 39-33 at half.
