VERMILLION, S.D. (Dakota News Now) – The South Dakota State women’s basketball won its sixth straight game over in-state rival South Dakota, 77-59, Saturday afternoon at the Sanford Coyote Sports Center.
The Jackrabbits improve to 17-3 on the season and 7-0 in Summit League games. SDSU has won 54 consecutive games in the conference regular season dating back to 2021-22. USD falls to 9-12 overall and 3-4 against League opponents.
A balanced scoring effort lifted the Jackrabbits as seven players scored at least six points each. Brooklyn Meyer and Haleigh Timmer paced the offense with 15 apiece, followed by Mesa Byom with 13 and Katie Vasecka with 12. Paige Meyer and Madison Mathiowetz finished with eight each, followed by Emilee Fox with six.
SDSU got six quick points from Byom and opened up an 11-4 lead over the Coyotes in the first 4:30 on action. A 16-0 stretch that included eight straight from Mathiowetz stretched the score to 27-8 late in the opening quarter. The Coyotes scored nine straight in the second period to pull back within seven, but a Vasecka triple made it a 10-point game again and the Coyotes never got back within single digits. A 17-2 start to the second half made it 65-38 for the Jacks and the visitors cruised from there.
The Jackrabbits also spread the wealth on the glass as eight players posted at least three rebounds. Byom had seven, followed by Kallie Theisen’s six boards and Katie Vasecka with five. Paige Meyer gave out seven assists, making it four straight games with at least seven helpers. Theisen had two blocks and Byom forced two steals.
SDSU shot 48 percent for the game but was just 9-of-33 from beyond the arc. The Coyotes were 41 percent for the game and 6-of-26 from the 3-point line.
Grace Larkins had 27 points, eight assists and seven rebounds for USD. Carley Duffey added 17 points.
NOTES:
- The Jackrabbits are now 67-35 all-time against the Coyotes.
- Kallie Theisen’s two blocks brings her career blocks total to 118. That mark is tied for fifth all-time at SDSU.
- Paige Meyer takes sole possession of 10th place on SDSU’s all-time assists list. She has 419 in her career.
UP NEXT: The Jackrabbits return to Brookings to host North Dakota State Wednesday night at First Bank & Trust Arena. Tip against the Bison is set for 7 p.m.
Recap courtesy of SDSU Athletic Communications.
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