Both South Dakota State and Denver hung on for wins in The Summit League Championships quarterfinals, and even though both did so in a much different way, both teams won to earn a semifinal matchup on Monday at 8:30 p.m. on WNAX.
The No. 2 seeded Jackrabbits trailed for more than 38 minutes, and led for just over one minute, but led when it counted in a come-from-behind, 73-70 win over seventh-seeded Oral Roberts. The sixth-seeded Pioneers led No. 3 seed Omaha for over 36 minutes in Sunday’s final quarterfinal game, and minus a pair of quick lead changes in the second half, hung on for a 78-70 win over the Mavericks, who played in the tournament for the first time in school history.
A win for the Jackrabbits would send them to the tournament title game for the third time, winning two of the three, while the Pioneers look to advance for the first time.
The Pioneers(15-14) enter The Summit League semifinals riding a three game winning streak after ending the regular season with wins at South Dakota and at home over North Dakota State added to Sunday’s win over Omaha in the tournament quarterfinals.
With their win on Sunday, the Pioneers became the first six seed to win since Southern Utah upset Oakland, 84-82 in 2012.
SDSU leads the all-time series 9-5, with wins in each of the last three meetings. Tonight’s game marks the first meeting between the two teams at The Summit League Championships, where the Pioneers now own a 2-2 record.
The first semifinal at 6 p.m. pits top seed Fort Wayne against North Dakota State.
