SIOUX FALLS, S.D. — With an impressive victory over North Dakota, South Dakota State University (SDSU) secured their spot in the Summit League championship game for the 14th time in the past 17 seasons. The Jackrabbits displayed a commanding performance, concluding the game with an 83-55 win. Brooklyn Meyer led the charge with 22 points and secured 10 rebounds, contributing significantly to the team’s success.
Haleigh Timmer also shone on the court, contributing a double-double with 14 points and matching Brooklyn Meyer’s 10 rebounds. Paige Meyer, another key player for SDSU, added 17 points, bolstering the team’s offensive strength. Mesa Byom chipped in with 11 points, helping to solidify the victory against North Dakota.
As the top seed in the tournament and perennial champions, winning two times consecutively prior to this match, South Dakota State aims for its 12th Summit League title since they became eligible in 2009. With the championship game approaching, the team stands ready to face off against either Kansas City or Oral Roberts. The Jackrabbits boast an impressive 40-5 all-time record in the tournament and have remained unbeaten in league play for the third consecutive year, riding an 18-game winning streak since their loss to Texas, currently ranked No. 1.
The game against North Dakota highlighted SDSU’s defensive prowess, where they limited the opposing team to a mere 29% shooting accuracy and achieved an overwhelming 52-26 advantage in rebounds, dominating with an 18-5 count on offensive boards. This strong defensive and rebounding effort translated into a 42-12 scoring advantage in the paint, as well as a 22-4 edge in second-chance points.
Kiera Pemberton emerged as a lead scorer for North Dakota, contributing 23 points. The game began with a tie at 6 points, but quickly shifted momentum when Timmer initiated a 12-3 run. Despite missing all seven of their 3-point attempts and shooting just 5 of 20 from the field in the second quarter, the Jackrabbits extended their lead to 34-21 by halftime.
Continuing their dominance in the third quarter, Brooklyn Meyer executed two three-point plays and scored eight points, while Paige Meyer nailed two 3-pointers during a 16-3 scoring run. The second of those long-range shots extended the lead to an impressive 53-28, occurring just before the midway point of the quarter.
