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Summit League Championship 2012, South Dakota State Vs. Western Illinois: Jackrabbits Heading To NCAA Tournament For First Time After OT Win

It took overtime, but the South Dakota State Jackrabbits punched their first ticket to the NCAA tournament on Tuesday night, defeating the Western Illinois Leathernecks 52-50 in the Summit League championship game.

Senior Griffan Callahan hit a three-pointer with a little less than a minute and a half remaining in overtime to put the Jackrabbits up by two. With South Dakota State's crowd going nuts, the Leathernecks turned the ball over on a shot clock violation on the ensuing possession and failed to get a good shot off as time expired after forcing a turnover with nine seconds remaining.

Nate Wolters, a native of St. Cloud, Minnesota, struggled throughout the game, only making five of his 22 shot attempts, but he still finished with a team-high 14 points and grabbed six rebounds. Callahan added 10 points, none bigger than the three ball in overtime to send the Jackrabbits dancing.

For more college basketball, be sure to visit SB Nation's NCAA basketball hub.

Photographs by Micah Taylor, clairity, and Fibonacci Blue used in background montage under Creative Commons. Thank you.