Quick Start Propels South Dakota State Past NDSU, 76-57

BROOKINGS, S.D. - The North Dakota State women's basketball team fell behind South Dakota State 18-5 in the first six minutes on Sunday afternoon at Frost Arena, and the Bison were never able to erase the early deficit as SDSU claimed a 76-57 victory in the Summit League opener for both teams.

The Bison outscored the Jackrabbits 38-31 in the second half and won the rebounding battle for the game, 33-32.

South Dakota State (9-5, 1-0 Summit) shot 50 percent for the game. Senior Ashley Eide and sophomore Megan Waytashek led the Jackrabbits with 20 and 17 points, respectively.

Freshman Holly Johnson and seniors Dani DeGagne and Katie Birkel all scored 11 points to lead North Dakota State. Sophomore Liz Keena chipped in eight points and matched her career high with four rebounds in 17 minutes off the bench.

SDSU was the preseason favorite to win the Summit League title after winning three regular-season conference titles in the past five seasons.

North Dakota State (4-9, 0-1 Summit) committed 13 turnovers in the first half and 17 total on Sunday after averaging just 15.3 per game through the first 12 games of the season. SDSU converted those 13 first-half turnovers into 22 points.

SDSU built its early run into a 45-17 lead with 1:27 left in the first half and led the Bison 45-19 at halftime. The Jackrabbits' largest lead of 32 points came on a Hannah Strop three-pointer with 5:38 to play.

NDSU will return to Fargo and the Bison Sports Arena for two league games this week. The Bison host South Dakota at 7 p.m. on Thursday, Jan. 3, and Kansas City at 7 p.m. on Saturday, Jan. 5.