The Southwest Minnesota State University men's basketball team suffered its second straight loss of the season, this one coming at the hands of Division I South Dakota State University.

The Jackrabbits were hot from beyond the arc, hitting 10 three-pointers en route to defeating the Mustangs 95-70.

The Mustangs (4-2) were also plagued with foul trouble with four players fouling out on the night.

"It just wasn't our night," said Bigler. "As a coach you try to tell your team that maybe we should adjust to the officiating but I just couldn't do that. They were doing the exact same things as we were doing and unfortunately we were getting called on it."

The Jackrabbits (4-5) started hot from three-point range, connecting on five of the first six shots from beyond the arc to build an early 25-9 lead with 10:36 remaining in the opening half.

"Early on, the threes they were making were in transition," Bigler said. "They were very tough shots. They just got ina rhythm and they were knocking them down."

Garrett Callahan led SDSU with 27 points after going 4-of-6 on three-pointers and 7-of-11 from the free-throw line. SDSU as a team went 41-of-50 from the stripe.

SMSU's Andrew Peschong scored and Jon DeRock followed with a three-pointer to cut the deficit to 25-14 but SDSU responded with a 10-2 run to extend the lead to 35-16 with 5:54 left in the half.

The Mustang defense held the Jackrabbits to just six points the rest of the half as SMSU pulled to within 41-28 but SDSU opened the game up in the second half by continuing to hit from long range.

The Jackrabbits hit five three-pointers to take a 61-34 lead with 6:20 to go and eventually held off the Mustangs to earn the victory.

Despite the loss, Bigler said he was still satisfied with the effort he saw on the court.

"I was pleased with our composure, our effort and overall energy," said Bigler. "Just the way they were flying around and trying to make plays."

Bigler said he was especially pleased with SMSU forward Scott Roehl's performance after leading the team with 22 points and making three steals. He also tied for a team-high five rebounds.

"I thought Scott Roehl competed at a high level," Bigler said. "He had good energy, was hitting the glass and knocked down some jump shots. It's good to have Scott back."

Jordan Miller and Andrew Peschong also scored 12 points each for the Mustangs.

SMSU will continue play Friday as hosts to Northern State to continue Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference play.

SMSU (70)

Scott Roehl 9 4-4 22, Nick Dale 2 2-4, Jon DeRock 3 0-0 7, Jordan Miller 4 2-3 12, Andrew Peschong 5 2-2 12, DeAnthony Zanders 1 0-0 2, Kevin Andrews 2 2-2 7, Taylor Huseby 0 2-4 2. Totals 26 14-19 70.

Three-pointers 4 (Miller 2) Rebounds 35 (Roehl 5, Peschong 5) Assists 13 Steals 10 Blocks 3 Turnovers 16 Total Fouls 35.

SDSU (95)

Kai Williams 6 2-3 16, Tony Fiegen 2 7-8 11, Michael Palarca 0 8-8 8, Clint Sargent 2 4-4 10, Garrett Callahan 8 7-11 27, Nate Wolters 0 5-7 5, Payton Tivis 1 3-3 5, Griffan Callahan 1 1-2 4, Anthony Cordova 1 0-0 2, James Rader 1 2-2 5, Nick Selken 0 2-2 2. Totals 22 41-50 95.

Three-pointers 10 (Callahan 4) Assists 12 (Palarca 5) Steals 4 Blocks 1 Turnovers 16 Total Fouls 16.

Halftime Score SDSU 41, SMSU 28