The South Dakota State University women’s basketball team captured its sixth NCAA Tournament berth in seven seasons with a 72-57 win over the University of South Dakota Tuesday afternoon in front of a tournament-record 6,926 fans at the PREMIER Center.
A pair of freshmen led the Jackrabbits, who improved to 24-8. Guard Macy Miller (Mitchell) and Ellie Thompson (Chaska, Minn.) led South Dakota State with 19 and 18 points, respectively. Miller scored 12 of her points in the first half as the Jackrabbits rolled to a 37-19 lead at the break.
South Dakota State made eight of its first nine shots, opening a 19-5 lead after a three-point field goal by senior guard Rachel Walters (Sioux Falls) at 12:44. The lead grew to 22, 31-9, after a three-point field goal by senior guard Megan Waytashek (Lino Lakes, Minn.).
USD made only 4 of its 30 field-goal attempts in the first 20 minutes.
Waytashek, who joined Thompson and Miller on the All-Summit League Championship team, recorded seven points, five assists, four rebounds, two blocked shots and two steals.
Tournament most valuable player Nicole Seekamp led South Dakota, 25-7, with a game-high 21 points, 17 coming in the second half. Margaret McCloud added 13 points.
The Jackrabbits will learn their first-round NCAA Tournament opponent when the NCAA announces selections March 16 on ESPN. First-round games will be played March 20 or 21 at sites to be determined.
