Senior Megan Waytashek led South Dakota State to a 74-61 win over Western Illinois Wednesday night in Summit League women’s basketball action at Western Hall.
Waytashek (Lino Lakes, Minn.) registered her first double-double of the season and fifth of her career with game highs of 22 points and 11 rebounds. The guard was 10 of 19 from the field and 2 of 5 from three-point range.
Freshman Macy Miller (Mitchell) added 20 points, shooting 7 of 11 from the field and 6 for 6 from the free-throw line.
The Jackrabbits (13-7, 4-3), who led 37-30 at halftime, used a 13-3 run to take a 61-51 lead at 6:14 after being tied at 48 all with 12:53 to play. Miller and senior Mariah Clarin (Princeton, Minn.) each scored four points in the run.
SDSU’s largest lead came at 4:07 when Clarin scored on a jumper to put the Jacks up, 67-54.
In the first half, South Dakota State used a 13-4 run at the 7:43 mark to take a 29-21 lead with 4:13 to go. Waytashek, who had 12 first-half points, scored six straight points to begin the run.
The Jackrabbits shot 50.8 percent (31-61) from the field, 37.5 percent (3-8) from three-point range and 90 percent (9-10) from the foul line. They also outrebounded Western Illinois (11-8, 3-3), 44-26.
South Dakota State returns home to the friendly confines of Frost Arena Jan. 29 when it hosts Oral Roberts at 7 p.m.
