Fargo, N.D. – The South Dakota State women’s basketball team made a strong statement by defeating North Dakota State 59-44, ending NDSU’s impressive 23-game win streak. This victory not only avenged an earlier loss but also boosted SDSU to six consecutive wins, bringing their record to 23-6 and 13-2 in Summit League play. NDSU now stands at 25-3 overall and 14-1 in the conference. Despite this loss, the Bison have secured the top seed for the upcoming Summit League Tournament.
SDSU seniors Madison Mathiowetz and Brooklyn Meyer were key players, scoring 41 of the team’s 59 points. Mathiowetz stood out with 23 points, marking her third straight game with at least 20 points. She also recorded three steals and hit both of the team’s 3-pointers. Meyer contributed with an impressive double-double, scoring 18 points and grabbing 11 rebounds.
The Jackrabbits’ defense was crucial in this game; they held NDSU to their lowest scoring output of the season, with a field goal percentage of just 31.3%. NDSU also struggled with turnovers, giving the ball away 18 times, which SDSU capitalized on by scoring 18 points from those opportunities.
From the start, SDSU took control and maintained the lead for most of the game. They established an 8-0 run that expanded the gap to 13 points in the second quarter. Although the Bison managed to respond with a brief run of their own, SDSU held a solid lead at halftime, 29-21. In the final quarter, the Jackrabbits outscored NDSU 18-11, sealing their victory.
For NDSU, key player Avery Koenen was held to 11 points and five rebounds, a significant dip from her usual performance as the Summit League’s leader in double-doubles. Karrington Asp provided some support off the bench, also scoring 11 points.
Besides Mathiowetz and Meyer, Hadley Thul and Mahli Abdouch contributed six points each. Hilary Behrens added depth with seven rebounds.
SDSU shot 48% from the field and narrowly edged NDSU in rebounds, 32-30. Both teams had a nearly even performance in steals and blocks, with NDSU slightly ahead in steals, 10-9.
Interesting Facts:
- SDSU now leads the all-time series against NDSU, 66-40.
- During their current six-game win streak, the Jackrabbits have maintained a shooting percentage of 55.1%.
- Mathiowetz and Meyer, throughout this streak, are averaging 22.0 and 20.0 points per game, showcasing their offensive prowess.
What’s Next?
SDSU will host South Dakota in a much-anticipated matchup on Saturday at First Bank & Trust Arena. The Jackrabbits will honor their senior players, including Mathiowetz and Meyer, in a special pre-game ceremony.
This victory highlights the Jackrabbits’ potential as they gear up for the tournament. Fans are excited to see how they will continue to perform as the season progresses.
