South Dakota State Jackrabbits Win Summit League Championship
In a decisive matchup for the Summit League championship, the South Dakota State Jackrabbits triumphed over the North Dakota State Bison with a score of 64-51, marking their 14th appearance in the NCAA Tournament since 2009. The Jackrabbits, seeded second, demonstrated their dominance with an impressive performance led by Brooklyn Meyer, who scored 26 points and grabbed nine rebounds.
Game Highlights
The game shifted decisively in favor of South Dakota State with around three and a half minutes remaining in the third quarter, as they surged ahead and built a seven-point cushion early in the fourth. Despite a valiant effort from the Bison, spearheaded by Molly Lenz’s three-pointer that narrowed the gap to 48-44 with seven minutes to go, North Dakota State struggled offensively, hitting only two field goals for the remainder of the contest.
Capitalizing on their lead, the Jackrabbits showcased their composure by sinking 14 of 16 free throws in the fourth quarter, with eight of those coming in the final minute. Over the course of the game, they converted 21 out of 29 free throw attempts, while the Bison managed just 5 of 9.
Player Contributions
Avery Koenen made a notable contribution for North Dakota State, finishing with a solid stat line of 12 points, 13 rebounds, and seven assists. Lenz and Karrington Asp added to the score with 12 and 10 points, respectively. Hadley Thul also contributed to the Jackrabbits’ total, scoring 10 points.
Pivotal Moments
The pivotal moment for South Dakota State came when an 11-3 run in the second quarter helped them take a significant 27-18 lead. The Bison, however, fought back, and Marisa Frost’s buzzer-beater three narrowed the deficit to 31-27 at halftime. They managed to claim a brief lead at 36-34 in the third quarter until South Dakota State responded with an eight-point streak that put them in control at 42-36.
Looking Ahead
While North Dakota State has experienced considerable success in Division II with five national titles, they are still seeking their first appearance in the NCAA Division I tournament. Selection Sunday, which falls on March 15, will reveal the NCAA Tournament brackets and matchups for the upcoming competition.
