The South Dakota State University women’s basketball team used scoring runs of 8-0 and 9-0 to pull away from Western Illinois University Thursday night and record a 69-49 victory in front of 1,652 fans at Frost Arena.
The Jackrabbits improved to 20-8 overall and 11-4 in league play. The 20th win marks South Dakota State’s fourth consecutive season and eighth in the past nine seasons with 20-or-more victories. Western Illinois falls to 17-11, 9-6.
South Dakota State was led by sophomore guard Kerri Young (Mitchell) and senior forward Mariah Clarin (Princeton, Minn.). Each player scored 16 points. Young had 11 first-half points while Clarin recorded 10 second-half points. Freshman guard Macy Miller (Mitchell) added 13 points. Miller and classmate Ellie Thompson (Chaska, Minn.) each grabbed seven rebounds.
Ashley Luke’s 18 points and 11 rebounds led Western Illinois. Tori Niemann added 12 points.
The Jackrabbits held a 23-16 lead with 7:58 to play in the first half. Senior guard Megan Waytashek (Lino Lakes, Minn.) opened the 9-0 run with a pair of free throws and then added a layup. Young hit a three-point field goal before Clarin scored inside to give SDSU a 32-16 lead with 4:07 remaining in the half. The Jackrabbits led 35-22 at halftime.
After Western Illinois came within nine points, 51-42, with 8:31 remaining on a three-pointer by Niemann, the Jackrabbits responded with an 8-0 run. Waytashek again scored a basket and made two free throws but Miller scored four-straight points to push the lead to 59-42 with 5:29 to play.
The Jackrabbits close the regular season at 2 p.m. Saturday by playing IUPUI in Frost Arena.
