South Dakota State defeats Valparaiso 81-69 to reach 3-0
New point guard EJ Ryans and veteran Kalen Garry led the Jackrabbits past a Beacons team that had beaten Purdue.
By Mei Lin ·
South Dakota State basketball is 3-0 after defeating Valparaiso 81-69 on Wednesday night in Brookings. The victory marks the second major non-conference win of the season for the Jackrabbits, who started play with a triumph over Kansas State. The result extends their winning streak and cements their position at the top of their early schedule.
The Jackrabbits took an 8-1 lead early in the first half. They surrendered some ground before dominating the remainder of the period to take a 49-32 lead at the break. In the second half, South Dakota State maintained control. The Beacons never closed the gap to less than nine points. Kalen Garry scored 21 points, and Joe Sayler added 20. Newcomers Jon Mekonnen and EJ Ryans contributed 12 and 11 points, respectively.
Valparaiso, a team that had beaten No. 24 Purdue the previous week, relied heavily on free throws. They shot 23-for-35 from the line during a game that featured 53 called fouls. Carter Hopoi scored 16 points, and JT Pettigrew added 15. However, the Beacons shot just 29 percent from the field in the first half, which limited their ability to mount a comeback.
EJ Ryans, a new point guard, played a central role in the victory. He recorded 11 points on 4-of-5 shooting, along with five rebounds, four assists, and two steals. Through the first three games of the season, Ryans has accumulated 10 assists and only one turnover. Coach Bryan Petersen noted that Ryans brings a level of consistency and on-court leadership that the team lacked last year. Petersen described Ryans as an extremely competitive player who serves as a connector for the squad.
Alec Squires, the projected starting center, made his season debut in this game. He missed the first two contests due to injury. Squires finished with seven points and seven rebounds. Freshman Davis Kern, who scored 24 points against Kansas State, had two points in the Valparaiso matchup. The team is also playing without Jesse Van Kalsbeek, a projected starter and last year's NAIA player of the year, who is recovering from an injury.
The crowd at First Bank & Trust Arena numbered 2,714. The atmosphere reflected a fanbase eager for a return to prominence after a losing season in 2025. Valparaiso coach Roger Powell praised South Dakota State, stating that the Jackrabbits possess good players who can shoot and attack the paint. Powell predicted the team would have a chance to win its conference.
Petersen emphasized that the team is focused on the long-term process rather than the immediate results. He said the team is stacking positive moments together and learning against quality opponents. The coach acknowledged that the team will not be perfect all year but stressed the importance of continuing to improve. The Jackrabbits will look to build on this momentum in their next matchup.
