South Dakota State hangs on to beat Western Illinois 79-77

BROOKINGS, S.D. (AP) Cody Larson converted a key three-point play and George Marshall hit the eventual game-winning shot with 59 seconds left as South Dakota State held on to beat Western Illinois 79-77 Wednesday night.

Larson's score broke a 74-all tie with 2:32 to play. Mohammed Conde split a pair of free throws to pull Western Illinois within 77-75 before Marshall hit his jumper. Garret Covington answered for the Leathernecks to make it 79-77 with 45 seconds remaining. South Dakota State's Deondre Parks missed a 3 with 11 seconds left, but Conde missed a layup at the buzzer to seal it for the Jackrabbits.

Marshall had 14 points and Larson 13 for South Dakota State (20-8, 11-3 Summit League), which has won three straight and has a half-game lead over North Dakota State (18-8, 10-3) atop the standings.

Covington scored a career-high 31 points to lead Western Illinois (8-16, 3-10).