Defense and balanced scoring led the South Dakota State University women’s basketball team Thursday night to a 70-44 win over North Dakota State in front of 1,869 fans at Frost Arena in The Summit League action.

Four players scored in double figures and the Jackrabbits forced 24 turnovers in the contest. The 44 points allowed are the second-fewest allowed by South Dakota State this season.

The Jackrabbits, now 17-5 overall and tied for first place in The Summit League at 8-2, were led by junior forward Ellie Thompson and sophomore guard Madison Guebert. Each player scored 13 points. Senior forward Clarissa Ober added 12 points and 3 blocked shots while senior guard Kerri Young recorded 11 points. Thompson grabbed a game-high six rebounds while Guebert and Young each were credited with five assists. Alexis Alexander had a game- and career-high four steals.

North Dakota State, now 5-18 and 3-7, was led by Emily Spier’s 13 points.