SIOUX FALLS – The Sanford Pentagon will host South Dakota State and Missouri State in a nonconference men's basketball game Dec. 2.
Tickets go on sale Sept. 1.
South Dakota State has a 2-3 record at the Pentagon. This will be Missouri State's first trip to the venue. Since opening in 2013, the Pentagon has hosted 15 NCAA Division I men's basketball games.
"We're pleased to welcome South Dakota State back to Heritage Court, and we're excited for Missouri State's players and fans to experience the atmosphere at the Pentagon for the first time," said Jesse Smith, executive director of the Sanford Sports Complex. "It's going to be a great game with two of the premier players in their respective conferences."
The Jackrabbits won the 2017 Summit League Championship title, advancing to the NCAA Tournament before falling to No. 1 seed, Gonzaga. SDSU returns Summit League Player of the Year Mike Daum, who broke the school's single-season scoring record in 2016-17.
"We're excited to be playing at the Sanford Pentagon again next season. After coaching at the Pentagon with the Jackrabbits last year, and Iowa State in 2015-16, I have always been impressed with the experience provided for student-athletes who have the honor to play on Heritage Court," said SDSU coach T.J. Otzelberger. "The facility is first-class, the hospitality is top-notch and the fans bring energy and enthusiasm every night."
The Bears are coming off a 17-16 record in 2016-17, losing in the semifinals of the Missouri Valley Conference Tournament to eventual champion Wichita State. Missouri State returns All-MVC first-team forward Alize Johnson, who led the Missouri Valley Conference in rebounding and the Bears in scoring during the 2016-17 season.
"We look forward to our game against South Dakota State. They have one of the best players in the country in Mike Daum, and they are coming off an NCAA Tournament appearance," said Missouri State head coach Paul Lusk. "It will be a great challenge for us."
South Dakota State leads the all-time series 3-2. The two teams faced each other five times during the 1960s and 1970s when the Bears were Southwest Missouri State.
