The South Dakota State University women’s basketball rallied from a five-point deficit in the first overtime period to defeat Northern Iowa 89-86 in double overtime in front of 1,547 fans at Frost Arena.
The Jackrabbits, now 7-2, were led by sophomore forward Ellie Thompson (Chaska, Minn.) who recorded a career-high 23 points and 10 rebounds. Junior guard Kerri Young (Mitchell) added 20 points and sophomore guard Macy Miller (Mitchell) scored 18 points before fouling out in regulation.
The double-overtime win was the Jackrabbits’ first since a 93-90 victory over UC Riverside, Nov. 11, 2007.
Northern Iowa took a 76-71 lead with 21 seconds remaining in overtime. Miller scored with 15 seconds to play to bring the Jackrabbits within three, 76-73. The Panthers made one of two free throws before Young sank a 3-point field goal to make it 77-76. After Northern Iowa missed the second of two free throws with 5.3 seconds left in the first overtime, sophomore guard Alexis Alexander (Brooklyn Park, Minn.) drove from halfcourt and scored before the buzzer to force another overtime period, 78-78.
South Dakota State trailed 84-82 after two free throws by Stephanie Davison with 60 seconds remaining. Senior guard Gabrielle Boever (Worthington, Minn.) sank a 3-point field goal with 40 seconds remaining to give SDSU an 85-84 lead. UNI’s Jen Keitel answered with a field goal before Thompson scored inside with 12.3 seconds to play to give the Jackrabbits an 87-86 lead. UNI turned the ball over on the ensuing possession. Freshman guard Madison Guebert (Apple Valley, Minn.) made free throws with 0.9 seconds remaining for the 89-86 final.
