Pile helps Omaha rally past South Dakota State 81-78
OMAHA, Neb. -- Matt Pile totaled 18 points and nine rebounds and Marlon Ruffin hit two free throws with 6 seconds left in the game as Omaha held off South Dakota State 81-78 on Sunday.
Noah Freidel sank two free throws with 2:11 remaining to give South Dakota State a 76-75 lead, but Pile and KJ Robinson answered with back-to-back layups to put the Mavericks up 79-76 with 26 seconds left. Alex Arians' layup pulled the Jackrabbits within a point. Robinson missed a free throw, but Pile blocked Douglas Wilson's layup attempt and Ruffin grabbed the rebound and was fouled by Matt Dentlinger.
JT Gibson topped Omaha (8-8) with 21 points, while Robinson scored 16. Ayo Akinwole added 10 points on 4-of-4 shooting.
Freidel, a freshman, paced South Dakota State with a career-high 28 points. He hit 6 of 13 from 3-point range. Arians added 16 points and seven rebounds, while Douglas Wilson pitched in with 13 points, five rebounds and four assists.
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Game Information
- Referees:
- Todd Von Sossan
- Bryan Anslinger
- Kirk Smith
2023-24 Summit League Standings
Team | CONF | GB | OVR |
---|---|---|---|
South Dakota State | 12-4 | - | 22-13 |
North Dakota | 10-6 | 2 | 18-14 |
Kansas City | 10-6 | 2 | 16-16 |
St. Thomas-Minnesota | 9-7 | 3 | 20-13 |
North Dakota State | 8-8 | 4 | 15-17 |
Omaha | 7-9 | 5 | 15-18 |
Denver | 6-10 | 6 | 17-17 |
Oral Roberts | 5-11 | 7 | 12-19 |
South Dakota | 5-11 | 7 | 12-20 |