Four South Dakota State players scored in double figures, leading the Jackrabbit women's basketball team to a 74-64 victory over Omaha to close out the first half of the Summit League schedule.
The league-leading Jackrabbits improved to 7-1 in The Summit League and 15-6 overall. Omaha, in its first season as a Summit League member, dropped to 14-6 overall and 4-4 in league play.
SDSU never trailed on the afternoon, breaking a 3-all tie with an 11-4 run to lead 14-7 lead seven minutes into the game. The Mavericks knotted the game at 17-all before the Jackrabbits countered with a 12-2 run, highlighted by five straight points by guard Gabby Boever, to take the lead for good. SDSU scored the final eight minutes of the half to lead 39-24 at intermission, thanks in large part to 55.2 percent (16-of-29) shooting from the field in the opening 20 minutes.
Omaha scored the first six points of the second half to trim the deficit to 39-30, but the Jackrabbits stemmed the tide with a pair of free throws by Hannah Strop and four straight points by Katie Lingle.
SDSU strung together another 8-0 run moments later to take its largest lead of the day, 55-36, on a three-pointer by Megan Waytashek.
The Mavericks put together one final run, closing to within nine points, 62-53, with seven minutes to play. However, the Jackrabbits once again had the answer as they quickly increased the margin back to 15 and maintained a double-digit lead the rest of the way.
Waytashek led the way with 11 points, while Boever, Strop and Katie Lingle all tallied 10 points. Lingle also paced the Jackrabbits on the boards with seven rebounds to share game-high honors. The balanced SDSU offensive attack also featured nine points from Ashley Eide and Rachel Walters.
Rebounds were even at 29.
SDSU finished the day with its best overall shooting percentage of the season, going 27-of-52 for 51.9 percent. The Jackrabbits made 8-of-20 three-point attempts and were 12-of-16 at the free throw line, 75 percent.
Omaha received 17 points each from Jamie Nash and Carolyn Blair-Mobley, with Blair-Mobley also grabbing seven rebounds. Paige Frauendorfer contributed 16 points and six rebounds.
The Mavericks ended the afternoon 19-of-52 from the field, 36.5 percent, including a 5-for-13 effort from beyond the arc. Omaha was 21-of-22 at the free throw line, 95.5 percent, including a perfect 10-for-10 by Blair-Mobley.
The Jackrabbits return to action Wednesday with a matchup at in-state rival South Dakota. Tipoff is slated for 7 p.m. at the DakotaDome in Vermillion.
NOTES: Saturday's matchup marked the first meeting between SDSU and Omaha since the 2003-04 season ... Omaha leads the all-time series, 31-29, although the Jackrabbits have won 21 of the last 25 matchups ... all 10 Jackrabbit players to see action scored ... SDSU is 9-0 this season when leading at the half ... the Jackrabbits are 14-2 when scoring at least 60 points ... SDSU improved to 9-3 in afternoon games this season ... Waytashek was 4-for-4 from the field and made both of her free throw attempts en route to her 11 points ... Waytashek has made 37 of her last 40 free throw attempts, 92.5 percent ... Boever tied a career high with four steals ... Strop's 10 points were a season high ... Lingle came off the bench to score in double figures for the third consecutive game ... SDSU committed 22 turnovers, but tied a season high with 13 steals as it forced 21 Maverick miscues ... attendance was 468 at Sapp Fieldhouse
Courtesy: Jason Hove, Assistant AD-Sports Information, South Dakota State University
