For the 10th consecutive season, the South Dakota State women’s basketball team will participate in postseason play as the Jackrabbits host Northern Illinois out of the Mid-American Conference Thursday in the first round of the Women’s NIT in the friendly confines of Frost Arena.
Thursday’s game marks the Jackrabbits’ fourth appearance in the postseason WNIT. South Dakota State went 2-2 in its first two WNIT Tournament appearances in 2007 and 2008. The Jackrabbits reached the postseason tournament’s quarterfinals in 2007, receiving a bye in the first round, beating Illinois State (61-48) in the second round, Indiana State (60-53) in the third round, but losing to Wyoming (70-59) in the quarterfinals.
In their last WNIT Tournament in 2014, the Jackrabbits reached the semifinals with wins over Butler (78-61), Creighton (62-51), Minnesota (70-62) and Indiana (76-64). The Jackrabbits lost at UTEP, 66-63.
The Jackrabbits, 22-8 overall, secured a berth in the WNIT as an at-large bid after losing in the semifinals of The Summit League Tournament Mar. 6. South Dakota State recorded its 20th 20-win season since the program began in 1966-67 and its sixth consecutive 20-plus win season.
Northern Illinois enters the WNIT with a 21-11 overall record and 12-6 mark in the MAC after losing to Toledo in the championship of the MAC Tournament March Mar. 11.
The winner of Thursday’s game faces the winner of the Colorado vs. UNLV game in the WNIT’s second round. Location and time is yet to be determined.
