SIOUX FALLS – Freshman guard Jack Thompson led four players in double-digits with 21 points as the University of Sioux Falls Men's Basketball Team (12-3, 8-1 NSIC) retained control of the lead in the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference by rallying for a 71-64 decision over Minnesota State at the Stewart Center on Friday (Jan. 10).

The Cougars recorded a fifth straight victory as they swept Minnesota State for the first time in program history. USF, which has won three straight and four of five against the Mavericks, rallied from a 46-38 deficit with 15:38 to play to earn the seven-point win. As a result, USF moved to 12-3 on the season and stand 8-1 in the NSIC, which leads the NSIC South Division by two games. USF also has the top mark overall in the league.

USF Head Coach Chris Johnson credited his team's resilient effort in scraping for loose balls and using its extraordinary balance to find a way to win.

"We weren't really good in the first half but found a way to hang close in the first half but then we hit 71 percent in the second half to earn a win. I couldn't be more pleased with a bunch of guys than this group. They just battle, and battle and battle all game long. A bunch of different guys did it for us and that is what we need on a nightly basis. They find a way to win games. They share the ball and love to play with each other," he said.

For the second straight game and third time this season, Thompson cracked 20 points. With a driving lay-up late in the game, Thompson tied his career-high with 21 points after recording 20 in a road win at Augustana. He was 6-of-10 from the floor and made a career-high eight free throws in eight attempts. Thompson, who scored USF final 10 points of the game, also had four rebounds, four assists and a steal in 38:39 minutes on the floor.

USF had 10 points from Austin Slater, who grabbed a team-high eight rebounds. Senior captain Devin Green added 10 points and knocked 2-of-4 from three-point range as USF made just 4-of-9 from distance for the game. Sophomore guard Troy Houghton also reached double-digits in points with 10 as he was 4-of-6 from the floor and made his only three-point shot. Houghton also had five boards, two assists and a pair of steals in 23 minutes on the floor.

Crucial to USF's success was controlling the boards as they have now done in 13-of-15 games. They outrebounded MSU, 30-26. In addition, USF had fewer turnovers (12) than the Mavericks (15) while outshooting their opponents for a third straight game. USF was 25-of-51 for 49 percent while MSU hit on 23-of-49 field goals for 46.9 percent. The Mavericks made 7-of-22 from three-point range but USF had the advantage at the foul stripe. The Cougars made 17-of-20 for 85 percent while MSU was 11-of-18 for 61.1 percent.

After trailing 36-32 at halftime, USF outscored the Mavericks, 39-28, in the second half to take a seven-point win. USF, which defeated MSU, 86-81 on Dec. 7 in Mankato, Minn., had a 32-to-26 advantage of points in the paint and also made turnover points count to an advantage of 17-to-10. MSU was led in scoring by Cameron Kirksey with 16 while both Kelby Kramer and Kevin Krieger had 11.

Scoring Recap –
Early on, the two teams traded baskets until USF broke from a 4-4 tie with a 10-1 run as Thompson hit his only three of the game (15:43) and Green knocked in a triple for a 14-5 lead with 13:08 to play. USF still led 16-11 after Chase Grinde, who had six points and four rebounds, made a pair of foul shots (10:31).

Gradually, MSU cut into the deficit and took a 24-22 lead on a pair of foul shots by Kramer. They led by four (28-24, 4:06) before Slater scored four straight points to tie the game at 28 at the 3:10 mark.  However, MSU closed the half on an 8-4 run to take a 36-32 advantage to the break. In the opening half, the Mavericks hit 13-of-26 from the floor for 50 percent but made just 4-of-12 form three-point range and 6-of-11 at the foul line. USF was 10-of-30 (33.3 percent) from the floor and 3-of-8 from three (37.5 percent) but remained closed by making 9-of-11 for 81.8 percent from the foul line.

In the second half, the Cougars were outscored 10-6 to open the half and trailed 46-38 with 15:51 to play. It was a turning point when the Cougars hung tough and cut the lead to 46-43 when Houghton banged in a three.

"The shot by Troy (Houghton) was huge for us. It kept us close and that was what we needed. Then we just fought on every possession and made shots," said Johnson.

In fact, USF was 15-of-21 for 71.4 percent from the field in the second half. They made tried and made one three but converted 8-of-9 from the foul stripe as they fought back against MSU, which was 10-of-23 for 43.5 percent (3-of-10 from three) in the second 20 minutes.

After MSU took a 51-45 lead, USF had a jumper from Thompson at the 11:16 mark to draw within four (51-47). Two baskets from Houghton kept USF within 54-53 with 9:24 left. The Cougars were able to finally tie the game at 59 when junior forward Teathloach Pal, who had eight points, three assists and a steal, converted a basket inside.

With the game tied at 61, USF, fueled by the play of Thompson, took control. He scored the final 10 points of the game for USF as they finished on a 10-3 run to grab the win.  With USF up 67-62 and 50 seconds left, Thompson stole the ball was fouled and converted two foul shots. Then he finished a fast-break for a 71-62 lead with 28 ticks left and the issue was decided.