South Dakota State Routs Northern Colorado 71-46
Jon Mekonnen's double-double led South Dakota State to a 71-46 win over Northern Colorado in Rapid City.
Updated on Nov. 15, 2026 in Basketball
South Dakota State defeated Northern Colorado 71-46 on Saturday night in Rapid City, South Dakota. The win improved South Dakota State to 4-0 on the season.
Why it matters
The result extends South Dakota State's undefeated start to the season while Northern Colorado falls to 2-2. The margin reflects a second-half surge after the Bison trailed by 11 points at halftime.
Jon Mekonnen posted 14 points and 11 rebounds for South Dakota State, while Andrew Crawford led Northern Colorado with 16 points and Hunter Caldwell added 13. The extraction does not provide shooting percentages or advanced metrics for either team.
The players
South Dakota State Jackrabbits
South Dakota State is a NCAA Division I men's basketball program based in Brookings, South Dakota, competing in the Summit League.
Northern Colorado Bears
Northern Colorado is an NCAA Division I men's basketball program based in Greeley, Colorado, competing in the Big Sky Conference.
The details
South Dakota State trailed no lead-changing stretch in the win and outscored Northern Colorado after halftime. EJ Ryans added 13 points and Joe Sayler contributed 10 points and 6 assists for the Jackrabbits.
Timeline
Saturday, November 14, 2026: South Dakota State defeats Northern Colorado 71-46 in Rapid City.
Season Trajectory
An unbeaten 4-0 start gives South Dakota State an early foothold in the NCAA Division I men's basketball season. Northern Colorado's 2-2 mark leaves the Bears with a more uncertain early path.
Fantasy managers tracking Jon Mekonnen should note his 14-point, 11-rebound line in a 4-0 start for South Dakota State. The result also confirms Northern Colorado's early 2-2 record, which may matter for anyone following the Bears' schedule.
The takeaway
Early-season records often shape conference positioning, so tracking how South Dakota State handles its next games will show whether its unbeaten start holds. Readers following the Summit League can watch for its next matchup.
Further reading
Explore more South Dakota basketball coverage for the state's college and high school teams.
Source note: This article includes information reported by CBS Sports.
