Summit League Preview: South Dakota St. Women Host ORU, IPFW

It's the 'home cooking' portion of the schedule for South Dakota State in Summit League women's basketball, seven of nine games at Frost Arena, including two more this week.

Up first? A game with Oral Roberts, Thursday night.

The Jackrabbits (19-4/9-1) have won five straight coming in, thanks in large part to a defense that has allowed 50 points or less in each of the last three games, holding opponents to a combined 29 percent shooting during that stretch. SDSU also boasts a very balanced offensive attack with six different players leading them in scoring in the last five games.

Macy Miller is in the top ten in scoring in the conference, while Clarissa Ober and Ellie Thompson are among the top ten rebounders.

The Jackrabbits won first meeting 65-47 over ORU, last month in Oklahoma. In that game, SDSU held the home team to 26 percent shooting in the second half, outscoring Oral Roberts 41-27.

SDSU forced 15 turnovers and outscored ORU by 22 inside.

The Golden Eagles (11-12/8-3) have the second-best defense in the Summit League, holding opponents to 56 points per game on 36 percent shooting. On offense, they are eighth in points per game and shooting, last in free throw shooting.

Blair Bryce and Faith Ihim are both in the top ten in rebounding in the Summit.

Tipoff is 7:00 PM in Brookings, Thursday night.

Fort Wayne comes to Frost Arena Saturday afternoon.

SDSU won the first meeting 61-42, thanks to a big fourth quarter that saw them outscore IPFW 18-8. Neither team shot over 34 percent in the first half, but the Jacks defense really clamped down in the second half, holding the Dons to just 27 percent from the floor.

South Dakota State won the battle of the boards 45-29, and grabbed 16 offensive rebounds. The two teams combined for 38 turnovers (SDSU - 21, IPFW - 17).

The Mastodons (5-18/1-9) are second in the conference in offensive rebounding, but last in defensive rebounding and shooting percentage.

Keanna Gary pulls down a league-leading three offensive rebounds per game And is in the top ten in overall rebounding.

Tipoff is 2:00 PM in Brookings, Saturday afternoon.

Last week, the Jacks beat Omaha 65-47, in Nebraska, to sweep the season series. Seven SDSU players scored six points or more and five players grabbed at least five rebounds a piece.

UNO shot just 29 percent and Mikaela Shaw, who came in shooting better than 54 percent, was just 4-for-15 from the floor (27%).

The Jackrabbits returned home to beat North Dakota State 81-47, Saturday. SDSU used first half runs of 8-0 and 16-0 to lead by 20 at halftime. NDSU shot 27 percent in the first half, the Jacks shot 54 percent for the game. The Bison turned it over 19 times.

Clarissa Ober had a double-double (17 points/11 rebounds) and four blocked shots for SDSU.

I talked with head coach Aaron Johnston about the victories and this week's match-ups with Oral Roberts and Fort Wayne: