Ariy-El Boynton

If the only exhibition game for the SDSU men’s basketball is an indicator for the season, it could be a long one for the Jacks in 2008-09.

Southwest Minnesota State, Marshall made clutch shots and got the rebounds when it counted to beat SDSU, 70-65, at Frost Arena on Nov. 3. Before the game, head coach Scott Nagy was more worried about his team effort than a win or loss.

The Jackrabbits’ big goals of the game were to stay healthy and not give any scouting material to SDSU’s first opponent, San Jose State (Calif.), on Nov. 14.

Jacks guard Clint Sargent did not play in the second half due to a groin injury.

Due to it being a practice game, the Jacks did not play zone nor have normal operations for a regular game.

“If my biggest goal is to win this basketball game, we would have played a lot differently,” said Nagy. “My biggest goal is to see how we measure up against a big, physical team.”

The result: Nagy and his team will have things to work on to get better.

The Jacks went for 1-of-14 behind the 3-point arc. SDSU gave up 13 offensive rebounds in the second half. The only Jackrabbit player who could match the Mustangs’ presence down low was Anthony Cardova. The Sioux Falls native had zero points in the second half.

The Jacks allowed Andrew Peschong to score 15 points and Andy Beilke to score 13 points for the Mustangs. Beilke made a 3-pointer with a little over three minutes left to go in the game to secure the two-point lead for Southwest Minnesota. The Mustangs would never trail in the game again.

There were some good things in the game for the Jacks, such as Mackenzie Casey fresh off his redshirt senior year. He made two shots in a row in the second half but only shot 2 of 16 from the floor on the game.

Fellow SDSU guard Garrett Callahan had 20 points in 35 minutes of play. The Illinois native had two assists and a no-look pass to Cardova in the first half.

Brandon Valley native Dale Moss showed off his skills and added seven rebounds and a steal.

The biggest news for the game may be the players who did not play.

Those who did not dress due to injuries were guard Michael Palarca, Josh Cassaday, Brandon DeBoer and Anthony Davis.

Due to the injuries to big men like Cassaday and Davis, it makes life difficult for non-injured Cardova and Mark Engen. Due to the Jacks’ injuries, neither player has faced the bodies that the Mustangs had in practice.

If the injured players do not get healthy, SDSU may need to rely on Payton Tivis, Troy Wipf and Engen for extra minutes.

Nagy is pleased that the SDSU coaches and players could learn some lessons from the exhibition game.

“Our goal is not to beat Southwest but San Jose State,” he said. “This is an opportunity for us to learn.”

The Jacks will play full force in 10 days (Nov. 14) to learn from their mistakes at 7 p.m. against San Jose State.

“There should be some guys that are motivated. I hope it makes us stronger and more ready to go,” Nagy said.

#1.882232:2099460901.jpg:SDSU_vs_SWMS_mensbasketball_sab-0044.jpg:SDSU’s Dale Moss (5) drives to the basket and is fouled by Southwest Minnesota defender Ross DeMasi during the first half of their exhibition game Nov. 3 at Frost Arena. SDSU fell to the Mustangs, 70-65.:Stephen Brua