Mike Schaefer

The Jacks thrilled the home crowd at Frost Arena with an exciting 84-78 victory against Alabama State on Monday night. The win snapped a six- game losing streak for the Jacks, giving them their first win of the season and sending Alabama State to 4-4.

Matt Cadwell led SDSU with a dominating perfomance. The sophomore guard scored 15 in the first half and gave the Jacks the lead for good late in the first half, with a dazzling underhanded reverse lay up. Cadwell went 7-for-10 from the field, including 4-of-5 on three-point field goals, finishing with 23 points.

Big man Michael Loney was a force inside, grabbing 11 rebounds and scoring 16 points. Loney did major damage at the charity stripe, sinking 8-of-9 free throws.

Andy Kleinjan also topped double digits for the Jacks, finishing with 12 points, mostly through three-pointers.

Alabama State was led by Isaac Wells with 18 points and Adrian Banks with 16.

The win was the turning point the Jacks were looking for. In recent games, the Jacks had been able to hang tough, but could not quite turn the corner for a victory. SDSU had yet to turn in a complete team performance for the win. Against the University of Northern Iowa, Cadwell scored 25 points, but no other Jack reached double digits. Against Wisconsin-Milwaukee, Cadwell scored 12 and freshman guard Garrett Callahan was the only other person to reach double digits, with 11.

The Jacks hope to take their first win and turn it into a streak, but it will not be easy. The Jacks face Utah State Nov. 29 at Frost Arena. The Aggies enter with an impressive 4-1 record, and are the only NCAA Tournament qualifier the Jacks face at home this season.

Junior guard Jaycee Carroll leads the Aggies, averaging 23 points a game. Utah State has been on a roll so far. An opening-game loss to fellow NCAA qualifier Northwestern State is the only blemish on the Aggies’ schedule. Utah State followed that loss with three straight wins in the BP Top of the World Classic tournament in Fairbanks, Alaska, giving them the tournament championship. In the Aggies’ most recent contest, they defeated Weber State 77-68.

The Jacks cannot get used to the home court advantage, because after this game, their next five contests will be on the road, including trips to Minnesota, Green Bay and Kansas City. After the Utah State game, the next Jacks home game will take place Dec. 22 against Montana State.

#1.883942:1832285038.jpg:sdsuvsarkansas08.jpg:A rebounded ball is just out of reach for Michael Loney and Garrett Callahan of the Jacks on Nov. 27.:#1.883941:4016497855.jpg:sdsuvsarkansas07.jpg:Blake Yackley of South Dakota State is fouled by Arkansas State defender Yual Banks during their game Monday evening at Frost Arena. The Jacks defeated the Indians, 84-78.: