ST. CLOUD, Minn. – Despite a career-high 32 points Trevon Evans and 23 from Drew Guebert, the University of Sioux Falls Men's Basketball Team (7-2, 3-1 NSIC) dropped a 81-73 NSIC decision to St. Cloud State (6-2, 3-0 NSIC) on Friday night at Halenbeck Hall.

Evans, who had five points at halftime, broke free for 27 points, including 11 in the final minute, in the second half for his career-high 32. It is his second straight game that Evans has scored 27 points after the break. Evans, who now has two straight 30-point games and eight double digit scoring games this season, also had 27 points in the second half when he scored 31 against Upper Iowa in a 90-78 win on Dec. 2 at the Stewart Center. Against SCSU, Evans made 12-of-21 field goals, supplying a career-best five threes in seven attempts. He also had six assists and two rebounds.

In a season in which USF has dominated rebounding (12.9 rebound margin entering the game), the Huskies held the upper hand (37-to-28) and with a blistering first half of shooting, remained undefeated in league play at 3-0 and improved to 6-2 overall. Meanwhile, the Cougars dropped to 3-1 in the league and 7-2 overall.

In the battle of division leaders, SCSU, which led 43-32 at halftime, gave up a 16-point lead in the second half as the Cougars put together a 31-to-15 run and drew even with 5:47 to play. However, SCSU closed on a 16-8 spurt to pick up their 11th win in 13 meetings against USF.

Guebert had his 19th career 20-point game with 23 points while grabbing eight rebounds. He also moved into 29th place all-time in career scoring at USF with 1,025 points. With his seven 20-point game of the season, Guebert, a junior from Apple Valley, Minn., passed Ryan Reitsma, 1995-97, 33rd, 1007; Ryan Millsap, 2003-07, 32nd, 1,016; Derek Brown, 2010-14, 31st, 1,021; and Ryan Coapstick, 2001-03, 30th, 1,023 points. Senior Jerrod Walton also added 12 points, five rebounds and two steals while senior forward Tom Aase had a season-high nine points in just eight minutes of play.
 
SCSU held the lead throughout the game by winning the rebound battle, outshooting USF from the field and holding a major advantage at the foul line.
 
The Huskies, which hit 17-of-25 field goals for 68 percent in the first half, made 27-of-51 for 52.9 percent for the game. They were 4-of-13 from three point range. USF was 29-of-65 from the field for 44.6 percent and 9-of-20 from three-point range. However, USF was whistled for 27 fouls to 15 for SCSU. The foul difference enabled the Huskies to hold a 30-to-15 edge in made three throws. 
 
Jon Akerkamp led SCSU with 27 points and eight rebounds while Sean Smith added 18 points while Adam Heede-Anderson had a double with 18 points and 10 assists.           
 
Game Breakdown
 
In the first half, SCSU, which opened the game on a 10-2 run, used a torrid shooting performance to build a double digit advantage. In fact, the Huskies hit eight of their first nine shots to build a double digit lead at 18-6. Guebert canned a three-pointer and hit a jumper (13:41) for five straight points as the Cougars cut the deficit to 18-11.

After SCSU pushed the lead to 24-13, Evans knocked home a three (10:04 mark) and Walton converted a lay-up (9:44) to trim the margin to six (24-18).  But as SCSU would do all night when the Cougars made a run, they answered. A three from Brindley Theisen and free throws from Heede-Anderson moved the lead back to 29-18 (8:04). Back-to-back jumpers from Aase kept the Cougars within 35-26. However, baskets from Averkamp and Smith help SCSU extend the lead to 39-26 with 2:34 to play in the half.  

USF fought back to within 41-32 when Walton grabbed an offensive board and dunked the ball with 1:06 to play but SCSU had the final basket of the half for the 43-32 advantage.

With another three from Theisen, who had 12 points on the night, SCSU pushed the advantage to 50-34 at the 17:30 mark of the second half. At that point, USF began a 22-9 run, led by Evans, who had eight points, including a pair of "and 1s" on drives to the basket. Walton and Slater also had three pointers to help close the gap. USF closed to 59-58 when Walton made 1-of-2 free throws and Guebert dropped in a pair of free throws with 8:20 to play.

With five straight points, including a three from Evans at the 5:47 mark, USF tied SCSU at 65. However, SCSU answered with a 9-1 run to take a 75-66 lead and forced a USF timeout with 2:44 to play.  In the final 55 seconds, Evans tried to bring USF back. He scored 11 points, including three treys, as the Cougars drew within four at 86-82 with 21 seconds to play. But SCSU made four free throws in the final 29 seconds to hold off the Cougars.

Next for USF will be an NSIC road game at Minnesota Duluth with the scheduled start time set for 6 p.m. on Saturday at Romano Gym in Duluth, Minn.