Former WSC standout Henderson, Nebraska natives lead SDSU to tourney

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (AP) — Douglas Wilson had 21 points and 11 rebounds and South Dakota State beat North Dakota State 73-69 on Tuesday night to win the Summit League tournament and earn an automatic berth into the NCAA Tournament.

South Dakota State (30-4), which is coached by former Wayne State College standout Eric Henderson, added to the program’s single-season record for wins. Prior to coaching at SDSU, Henderson's coaching stops included stints at his alma mater and a season as the head girls basketball coach at Wayne High. 

The Jackrabbits, who became the first team in Summit League history to go undefeated in conference play, have won 21 games in a row — the longest active streak in Division I.

North Dakota State (23-9) trailed by as many as 10 points in the first half and didn’t take its first lead until former Lincoln East star Sam Griesel hit a 3-pointer with 3:05 left to put the Bison up 61-60.

Former Lincoln Pius X standout and Husker walk-on Charlie Easley answered with a jumper for the Jackrabbits 16 seconds later, Aurora native Baylor Scheierman followed with 3 to make it 65-61 with 1:54 left and SDSU made 8 of 10 from the free-throw line the rest of the way to seal it.

Easley had 15 points, Zeke Mayo scored 12 and Scheierman 11 for South Dakota State.

Griesel made 10 of 16 from the field and finished with 24 points, eight rebounds and five assists for the Bison. Jarius Cook scored 13 points and Grant Nelson 11.

Either the Jackrabbits or North Dakota State has played in each of the last 11 Summit League title games. SDSU has won six championships, including finals wins over the Bison in 2013, 2016 and 2022. NDSU beat South Dakota State for the 2015 crown, one of its four in that span.

Also on the Jackrabbits tourney-bound squad is Winnebago graduate David Wingett.