SIOUX FALLS – Despite a double double of 19 points and 12 rebounds from senior center Bryan Kielpinski, the University of Sioux Falls Cougars basketball team (1-2) dropped an 81-76 nonconference decision to Dakota State at the Stewart Center on Monday night.

The Cougars, which led by 12 points in the first half, were outscored by DSU, 45-33, in the second half as they lost their home opener. USF controlled the boards by a 44-to-26 edge, including a 23-to-5 margin in offensive rebounds, but had trouble from the free throw line as well as shooting from three-point land. USF hit a respectable 45.6 percent from the field on 31-of-68 shooting but made just 5-of-22 shots from three-point range. USF also struggled at the foul line, hitting just 9-of-18 for 50 percent.

Kielpinski, who was 9-of-12 from the field and had five offensive rebounds, tied his career highs in points (19) and rebounds (12) and while registering his second career double double. USF senior guard Charles Ward also had a double double - the second of his career - with 18 points and 10 rebounds. Sophomore guard Mack Johnson, who hit 4-of-11 from three-point range, just missed a double double with 18 points and nine rebounds. 

Dakota State, which connected on 28-of-56 shots from the field for 50 percent, outscored USF, 58-41, over the final 25:32 of the game. The Trojans, which hit 8-of-20 from three point range, were led by guard Bryant Allen with 25 points. Allen hit 11-of-11 from the foul line as the Trojans made 17-of-18 from the charity stripe for a blazing 94.4 percent.

After a slow start, USF gradually pulled ahead of Dakota State, leading 20-16 at the 9:29 mark of the first half as Ward hit three straight baskets in the opening 10 minutes. Then, Kielpinski scored inside to help USF take an 11-point lead at 29-18 lead with 7:10 to play in the half. About two minutes later, the Cougars had a 12-point lead at 35-23 with 5:32 left after USF's J.R. Hollis, who had six points, scored inside.

Dakota State rebounded by closing the half on a 13-7 run to draw within 43-36 at the break. The Trojans had a quick five point surge out of the break to pull within 43-41 with 17:53 left in the game when sophomore Adam Hofer hit a jumper.

USF was able to build the lead back to eight points at 51-43 with 15:17 left when Cutler Finneman scored inside. The lead was short-lived as Dakota State canned a pair of three-pointers and Allen hit two free throws to knot the game at 51-51 with 13:57 to play.

The game, which included six lead changes and seven times, went back and forth with the Cougars gaining a 64-57 lead with 8:04 left when Finneman scored another close-in basket. The Trojans responded with a 10-0 run for a 67-64 lead after  senior center Miguel Sansavour, who had 12 points and six rebounds, scored inside with 4:05 to play. Over the next several minutes, DSU maintained a 3-to-5 point lead before extending the margin to 77-70 with 14 seconds to play. While Johnson hit a pair of deep threes in the closing seconds, the Cougars could draw no closer than three points and lost a home nonconference game for just the second time in the last 39 outings. 

The Cougars will play a pair of road nonconference games this weekend. USF will face Barry University at 6 p.m. (CST) on Friday, Nov. 29, in Miami Shores, Fla. They also face Young Harris on Saturday, Nov. 29 at 4 p.m., in Miami Shores.