BROOKINGS, S.D. – In a thrilling encounter on Sunday, the 16th-ranked Duke women’s basketball team managed to fend off a determined South Dakota State squad, securing a 75-71 victory. Jadyn Donovan was the star of the game, finishing with an impressive 23 points and 15 rebounds, marking her second double-double of the season. She shot 11 of 17 from the field, adding four assists and four steals to her stats.
Ashlon Jackson contributed significantly to Duke’s success, scoring 17 points while also providing four assists. Vanessa de Jesus came off the bench to chip in with 13 points, playing a crucial role in the Blue Devils’ win.
On the other side, Brooklyn Meyer led the Jackrabbits with a standout performance, scoring 25 points with a shooting efficiency of 9-for-13. Her teammate Paige Meyer supported the effort with 12 points and seven assists, while Haleigh Timmer added 11 points, managing 5-for-7 on field goals. Although Kallie Theisen did not score, she made her presence felt by securing 12 rebounds.
In the first quarter, Jackson’s nine points helped establish a 23-18 lead for Duke. With just 90 seconds remaining before halftime, Donovan scored on a rebound, extending Duke’s lead to 10 points. However, the Jackrabbits managed a late basket from Brooklyn Meyer, bringing the halftime score to 38-30 in favor of Duke.
The second half saw the Jackrabbits rally, taking their first lead at 47-45 with contributions from Timmer and Meyer. Yet, Donovan responded decisively with a dunk followed by a three-point play, and the Blue Devils regained momentum, ending the third quarter with a 54-50 lead thanks to shots from Reigan Richardson and Toby Fournier in the final moments.
As the game neared its conclusion, Mesa Byom connected on a 3-pointer to tie the game at 59 with 7:38 left, but Donovan quickly responded with a follow-up basket and a jumper, allowing Duke to maintain its slim lead. Despite the Jackrabbits’ strong shooting from beyond the arc, hitting 8 of 16 attempts, Duke’s defense and timely scoring kept them ahead.
Upcoming, the Blue Devils return to their home court to face Belmont on Thursday, looking to build on this hard-fought victory.