BROOKINGS, SD -
Four South Dakota State players scored in double figures and all 12 Jackrabbit players to see action scored in an 86-51 victory over Western Illinois in Summit League women’s basketball action Thursday night at Frost Arena.
The Jackrabbits, who ran their winning streak to eight, improved to 14-5 overall and 6-0 in league play. WIU dropped to 9-8 overall, 2-3 in The Summit League.
SDSU never trailed in the contest and broke a 2-all tie by scoring the next seven points. The Jackrabbits built their lead to double digits for the first time at 24-13 on a basket by Katie Lingle with 5:34 remaining as part of another 7-0 spurt.
The Jackrabbit lead grew to 20 points in the final minutes of the first half, with SDSU taking a 44-25 lead into halftime after HannahStrop sank a three-pointer from the right wing with five seconds remaining.
SDSU continued to extend its lead in the second half on the strength of 61 percent (17-of-28) shooting from the field. The Fighting Leathernecks trimmed the margin to 16 points, 50-34, in the opening minutes of the second half before SDSU countered with a 16-4 run to put the game away.
Ashley Eide led the Jackrabbits with 16 points, followed by 15 from reigning Summit League Player of the Week Megan Waytashek. Reserve Megan Stuart scored a career-high 10 points, while Lingle also came off thebench to score 10 points.
The Jackrabbits ended the night 32-of-63 from the field, 50.8 percent, including 9-of-22 from three-point range. At the line, SDSU made 13-of-21 attempts, 61.9 percent.
Strop hauled in a career-best eight rebounds and Leah Dietel also corralled eight boards to pace SDSU’s 51-35 advantage in rebounding.
Western Illinois received 13 points on 6-of-7 shooting from the field by Ashley Luke. Rebecca Henricson added 10 points and three assists for the Fighting Leathernecks. Luke and Saule Kontautaite posted a team-high six rebounds each. Kontautaite, who came into the game as WIU’s leading scorer with an average of 13.9 points per game, was held scoreless in Thursday’s contest.
From the field, WIU was 19-of-65, 29.2 percent, including 6-of-27 from long range. The Fighting Leathernecks converted 7-of-12 free throws for 58.3 percent.
SDSU closes out its brief homestand Saturday afternoonagainst IUPUI. Tipoff is set for 4 p.m. at Frost Arena.
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