GAME NOTES: South Dakota State hopes its home opener is more forgiving then its first two games of the season when the Jackrabbits host long-time rival North Dakota on Friday.

The Jackrabbits were in front in the final minute in both of their first two tests, but wound up on the losing end in Buffalo and Idaho. In the latest setback, Idaho's Perrion Callandret made a go-ahead 3-pointer down the stretch, and the Vandals pulled out an 82-77 triumph.

SDSU was held scoreless over the final 2:16.

Deondre Parks and Jake Bittle netted 18 points apiece, Cody Larson logged 14 points and 10 boards, and Skyler Flatten came off the bench to score 13 in the setback.

The good news for SDSU is that the squad will be playing four of its next five at home in Frost Arena.

North Dakota is coming off a win over Mayville State in its home opener, as Jaron Nash, who was granted a sixth year of eligibility, registered his first double-double with 16 points and 12 rebounds in the 76-39 drubbing. Josiah Coleman added 13 points and Quinton Hooker donated 11.

UND forced 27 turnovers in the contest, this after taking it away 16 times in a season-opening loss to Northern Iowa last Saturday.

These programs have played a whopping 187 times, with North Dakota coming out on top in 106 of them. The Jacks have closed the gap recently, however, going 19-6 in the series under head coach Scott Nagy.

The Jacks have played tough opponents down to the wire, and though they came up short, the experience should serve them well down the line. On top of that, nothing is better than taking out your frustrations on a rival program in your home opener.