BROOKINGS, S.D. (AP) -Kai Williams had a double-double and scored seven consecutive points in the second half to break the game open as South Dakota State defeated Western Illinois 66-53 on Thursday night.
Williams had 15 points and 13 rebounds for the Jackrabbits (14-14, 10-7 Great West Conference), who snapped a three-game losing streak and swept the season series. Clint Sargent also scored 15 points, giving him 1,010 for his career, and Griffan Callahan added 11.
David Nurse scored 15 and Quenton Kirby 12 for the Leathernecks (13-15, 6-11), whose four-game winning streak ended.
The Jackrabbits led 33-21 at intermission, but Western Illinois bolted out of the gate with a 9-0 blitz to cut it to 33-30.
But with South Dakota State ahead 48-42, Williams ran off seven in a row for a 55-42 edge with 7:06 remaining. Western Illinois got no closer than eight the rest of the way.
