.After falling short of an NCAA bid, the South Dakota State women will await a different post season challenge. For the eighth consecutive season, the South Dakota State women’s basketball team will participate in postseason play as the Jackrabbits host Butler University out of the Big East Conference Thursday in the first round of the Women’s NIT in the friendly confines of Frost Arena.
“The WNIT will be an exciting challenge for our team and playing a Big East opponent at home is a great opportunity. We are looking forward to a great turnout Thursday night in Frost Arena,” SDSU head coach Aaron Johnston said.
Thursday’s game marks the Jackrabbits’ third appearance in the postseason WNIT. SDSU qualified for the Women’s NIT in 2007 and 2008 while completing its transition to Division I.
The Jackrabbits, 22-9 overall, secured a berth in the WNIT by winning their fifth consecutive Summit League regular-season title with a 13-1 mark. South Dakota State recorded its 17th 20-win season since the program began in 1966-67 and its eighth 20-plus win season since turning Division I in 2004-05.
Butler enters the WNIT with a 15-15 overall record and 10-8 mark in the Big East after falling to Creighton in the quarterfinals of the Big East Tournament March 9.
The winner of Thursday’s game faces the winner of the Creighton vs. Missouri game in the WNIT’s second round. Location and time is yet to be determined.
