Coaching Legacy of Ray Bourbon

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Werner Strong in Jacks Loss

Indianapolis, IND -

In his game without Gerry Karangwa by his side, center Felipe Werner led all scorers with 24 points, however it was not enough for a victory as the Jacks lost their opening Summit League contest 57-49 at the hands of the IUPUI Jaguars.

“Without the other big body in there [Karangwa], it makes things a little more difficult, but we need to learn to play through that,” said Coach Ray Bourbon. “We had a good effort in the beginning, but just ran out of gas at the end.”

The Jacks went into the locker room up 26-25, but consistent scoring from juniors LeRoy Nobles (16) and Christian Siakam (14), as well as sophomore Olu Mendez (11), led the Jags to the win.

Another area of concern for the Jacks was the three point shooting of junior guard Clint Sargent. Sargent went 2-9 from the three point line and has gone 7-26 in his last four contests for an average of 27%, almost ten points under his average.

South Dakota will have a day off before they travel to Western Illinois (1-6) for their next Summit League contest.

Leaders

South Dakota State
F. Werner – 24 Points
C. Sargent – 10 Points

IUPUI
L. Nobles – 16 Points
C. Siakam – 14 Points, 11 Rebounds
O. Mendez – 11 Points
A. Moss - 7 Assists

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Jacks Start Summit Play at 0-2

Macomb, ILL -

The Jacks have over a week before their next contest against Weber St. and that is a very good thing for their squad. South Dakota could not muster up a legitimate offensive game plan as they scored only 23 points each half in a 69-46 rout at the hands of the Western Illinois Leathernecks.

“This is not the way we want to be playing, every one of these conference games is so important, and to just not show up one night kills us,” said Coach Bourbon following the loss.

Clint Sargent paced the Jacks with 13, while W. Illinois senior guard David Nurse led all scorers with 15. The play of junior center James Granstra also aided the Leathernecks as he effectively shut down most of the Jacks inside game.

Coach Bourbon could not have a better time to let his players take a break and get back to the drawing board as the Jacks squad looked tired and sloppy on the Western Illinois court. The rest will also allow freshman center Warren Ward to completely heal from his wrist injury, and knock off more calendar days before Kai Williams and Gerry Karangwa come back into the Jacks lineup. The Jacks will return to the floor at home against Weber State (5-3) before playing them again two nights later in a non-conference tournament.

Leaders

South Dakota State
C. Sargent – 13 Points
F. Werner – 12 Points

Western Illinois
D. Nurse – 15 Points
J. Granstra – 13 Points

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Time off Gives Players Time to Relax, Recover and Catch Up

Brookings, SD –

Sometimes the first part of the word “student-athlete” can be neglected with all the travel, practice and rehabilitation that an NCAA athlete goes through. The Jacks had exactly ten days between their loss at Western Illinois and their next contest at home against Weber State. The time allowed for some much needed rest, relaxation, practice and studying.

“I was behind in a few of my classes,” jokes junior guard Clint Sargent. “Coach gave us the first two days of our break to ourselves mainly and it helped most of us get caught up and just enjoy a few days of being regular students.”

Coach Bourbon elected to give his squad the down time because he believed that some of his players were being bogged down with the pressures of both school and basketball.

“We all have a bunch of pressure on us, especially this year,” said Bourbon. “We have a bunch of injuries that need healing and a bunch of school work that the kids need to get ahead on before final exams in a few weeks here.”

Senior Kai Williams can attest to Bourbon’s words about this hectic time of year.

“With being injured, I spend a good hour with our trainers every day and then I need to rush back to class and get my time in at our mandatory athlete study hall and then you need to eat, sleep and all that. It’s real busy,” said Williams. “Wouldn’t trade it for the world though, especially being a senior, if anything I am trying to enjoy these moments as they won’t be here for long.”

The Jacks know that they need to play much better as they round out their non-conference schedule in the second half of December. With already two Summit League losses, the Jacks and Bourbon will try to use the following games to get back on track before the quest to the Summit League tournament begins in the new year.

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Jacks Dominate Wildcats In First of Two Game Set

Brookings, SD -

After a long rest since their last loss to Western Illinois, South Dakota State took the floor with tenacity and buried Weber State 75-58 in the first of their two game set. South Dakota will play Weber again two days from now in the Gossner Foods Holiday Classic Tournament.

“It’s a real interesting situation,” said Coach Bourbon about the back to back games. “Like I said earlier this year, it was totally coincidence, I am just happy we got the first one.”

Felipe Werner paced all scorers with 22 points, while senior guard Juan Pablo Silveria led Weber St. with 13 of his own. Werner was the only Jack in double digits, however all of the other starting four scored 8 points or better.

The Gossner Classic will take place on the campus of Utah State and will be televised on ESPN U. Win or lose, the Jacks will partake in two contests while in Utah.

Leaders

South Dakota State
F. Werner – 22 Points
M. Palarca – 9 Points, 7 Assists

Weber State
J. Silveira – 13 Points
K. Bullinger – 11 Points

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Jacks Drop Overtime Thriller

Logan, UT -

Just two days after blowing out the same opponent, South Dakota State found themselves in a dog fight with the Weber State Wildcats. After squandering an opportunity to win the game at the end of the second half, Felipe Werner could not capitalize on the final possession of overtime as the Jacks fell 66-64 in the first round of the Gossner Foods Holiday Classic.

“It was a very disappointing loss,” said Coach Bourbon of the Jacks. “We were really feeling good about ourselves after the win a few nights ago.”

South Dakota State played great defense to push the game to an extra five minutes. Going into the half down 7, the Jacks held Weber State to only 16 second half points.

Felipe Werner and Wildcats’ guard Columbus Korver both had 16 points to lead their respective squads.

The Jacks also suffered yet another key injury, this time to their starting point guard Michael Palarca. Palarca went down early in the first half to what appeared to be an injury to his lower ankle.

South Dakota will now take on Utah Valley State in the consolation game tomorrow afternoon. Weber State will go onto face New Mexico State in the championship game.

Leaders

South Dakota State
F. Werner – 16 Points, 7 Rebounds
C. Sargent – 15 Points, 6 Rebounds

Weber State
C. Korver – 16 Points
D. Snow – 14 Points
J. Silveira – 10 Points
D. Mahoney – 10 Points

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Palarca Out Two Weeks, Engen also day to day

Logan, UT -

After morning shoot around today, Coach Ray Bourbon of the South Dakota State Jacks met with the media and informed them that his starting guard Michael Palarca will miss roughly two weeks with a minor strained achilles.

“It’s not that bad, but he can’t go on it so he will have it treated here and then assessed again when we get back home and talk to our guys about it,” said Bourbon who is in the process of preparing his team for their match up with Utah Valley State this afternoon.

Junior Garrett Callahan will enter the line up in place of Palarca. In his two years with Bourbon, Callahan has only averaged 9.3 minutes a game.

Bourbon also said that bench player Mark Engen is struggling with a strained calf, but will still dress for the game this afternoon.

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Jacks 0-2 at Gossner Foods Classic

Utah State –

South Dakota State came out of the gate hard this afternoon against the Utah Valley State Wolverines, scoring the first 9 points of the game. However, the Jacks were outclassed the rest of the way as they were downed easily, 67-42.

“It was ugly, it was embarrassing, I don’t know how else I can describe the game,” said Coach Ray Bourbon after the loss. “At this point, I just want to get on the plane back home and start to think how I can get these kids better prepared to play basketball.”

The Jacks were lead by junior Clint Sargent who scored 15 points and led all scorers. Sophomore guard Jerald Corrigan led the Wolverines with 14 of his own.

The Jacks were without their point guard Michael Palarca, as he missed his first game of his career.

“Losing Mike [Palarca] was a big one for us,” said junior Anthony Cordova, who had one point in the game. “We were a little off on some of our plays and there were just certain situations where we missed his leading ability.”

The Jacks will have exactly one week before they travel to New Jersey to take on New Jersey Tech. If all things go well next week, Coach Bourbon should see starters Kai Williams and Gerry Karangwa back in the lineup.

Leaders

South Dakota State
C. Sargent – 15 Points
F. Werner – 7 Points, 7 Rebounds

Utah Valley State
J. Corrigan – 14 Points
I. Fowler – 13 Points
B. Anderson - 10 Points, 7 Rebounds

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Jacks Welcome Back Karangwa and Williams to Line-Up

Newark, NJ -

Coach Ray Bourbon informed the media this morning that both starters Kai Williams and Gerry Karangwa will be back in the line-up tonight as the team plays at New Jersey Tech.

“Both will suit up, neither will start though, we’re going to bring them back slowly,” said Bourbon.

Mark Engen, who has been battling a calf injury and freshman guard Carl Flores have been sent to reserve duty to make room for the returning players and did not make the trip with the team.

In his short 2009/10 campaign, Karangwa has averaged 10.5 points a game, while Williams has averaged 5.6.