GEORGE TOWN, Cayman Islands (AP) Hayden Dalton scored 18 points and Wyoming beat South Dakota State 77-65 on Monday in the first round of the Cayman Islands Classic.
The game featured two standout forwards, Dalton a 6-foot-8 senior who came in averaging 26 points and 11 rebounds, and Mike Daum, a 6-9 junior forward, the nation's top returning scorer who was averaging 21.2 points and 10.8 rebounds this season.
Neither posted a double-double on this day with Dalton finishing with five rebounds and five assists, though making 7 of 12 shots, while Daum finished with 10 points and nine rebounds while shooting just 2 of 12, including 1 of 6 from the arc.
Justin James added 16 points and seven rebounds for the Cowboys (3-0) and Louis Adams 14 points.
Reed Tellinghuisen scored 16 points with three 3-pointers for the Jackrabbits (3-2) with Brandon Key adding 10 points.
The margin between the teams was in single digits most of the way and tied at 55 with eight minutes left. The Cowboys finally shook loose, going up by 11 on a 3-pointer by Alex Aka Gorski with 2 1/2 minutes remaining and 12 on a trey by Adams with 1:20 to go.
The teams combined for 40 turnovers but Wyoming took more advantage outscoring South Dakota State 31-12 off miscues.
Wyoming will play Louisiana-Lafayette in the semifinals Tuesday while the Jackrabbits face Iowa.
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