SIOUX FALLS, S.D. – The Western Illinois men's basketball squad dropped its opening game of The Summit League Tournament Sunday evening (March 9) to South Dakota State, 71-50.

The Leathernecks conclude the 2013-14 season 10-20 overall. No. 3 SDSU improves to 19-11 overall on the season and advances to the semifinals and will face No. 2 Fort Wayne.

Three Western Illinois players scored in double figures led by freshmen Garret Covington and Jabari Sandifer who finished with 14 and 13, respectively.

Covington also grabbed five rebounds and had two steals, while Sandifer dished out two assists and tallied two steals to go along with his 13 points.

Senior Michael Ochereobia finished with 10 points, posted a team-best six rebounds, had two steals and two blocks.

Fellow senior Adam Link had seven points, a team-best three assists, three rebounds, and two blocks.

South Dakota State outrebounded the Leathernecks, 39-25, and shot better from all areas of the floor.

WIU committed 15 turnovers to the Jackrabbits' 11, and SDSU had more assists than Western (15-7).

The Leathernecks had more steals (9-7) and blocks (4-3) than SDSU.

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