Defense has been the issue all season for South Dakota State, but when the Jackrabbits needed it the most, they got in the final seconds in Denver, grabbing an improbable 74-73 win over the Pioneers.

SDSU's leading scorer Jordan Dykstra was limited to just one shot in the first half, but he had 18 second half points, including a pair of late 3-pointers in a four second span.

A Cody Larson steal with 12.8 seconds left set up Dykstra's second 3 - giving the Jacks their first lead in 31 minutes.

Dykstra also was key at the free throw line, nailing a pair in the final seconds, running his current string to 26 straight.

SDSU survived a scare moments later, when Denver's Bryant Rucker hit what appeared to be a game tying 3-pointer at the buzzer, but the officials ruled his foot was on the line and the Jacks escaped with the win.

Denver shot 60 percent in the first half and led 33-28 at the break, pushing the lead to ten in the second half.

Larson joined Dykstra in double figures with 17 points, Chad White had 13, Jake Bittle 10.

The win is just the second in ten tries when trailing at the half for SDSU.

The Jackrabbits (11-10/3-3) play at South Dakota Saturday afternoon.

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