Summit League Women: South Dakota State Wins at Omaha, Stays Unbeaten in Conference

After digging themselves early holes in each of the last two games, the South Dakota State women's basketball team tried a different approach Saturday at Omaha, and it paid off with a 14-point win over the Mavs.

The Jackrabbits scored the first 11 points of the game, with Steph Paluch, the hero Thursday's win at Western Illinois, hitting her first three shots for 7 early points.

But over the next six minutes, SDSU lost its shooting touch, going just 1-of-8, allowing the Mavs to cut the lead to 4 at 15-11 with 10 minutes to play in the first half.

Neither team shot the ball particularly well in the first 20 minutes, UNO 35%, SDSU 32%, but the Jacks did string together enough defensive stops to push the lead to 34-26 at the half.

South Dakota State shot the ball much better in the second half, 56%, and Paluch stayed hot, finishing the game 8-of-16 from the floor, 5-of-9 from behind the 3-point arc, to lead the Jacks with 21 points.  Mariah Clarin added 14, Kerri Young 11, Hannah Strop 10.

SDSU committed a season low 10 turnovers, and remain the only unbeaten team in the Summit League after two weeks.

The Jackrabbits (13-7/4-0) play at North Dakota State next Saturday at 2:00pm.