Four South Dakota State players scored in double figures as the Jackrabbit women's basketball team opened the exhibition season Sunday afternoon with an 86-43 victory over Minnesota-Crookston at Frost Arena.
The defending Summit League champion Jackrabbits never trailed in the contest and closed the first half on a 19-4 run to lead 47-27 at intermission. Sophomore Megan Waytashek started the run with a three pointer and added seven more points in the spurt, including a traditional three-point play with 10 seconds remaining in the half.
It was more of the same in the second half as SDSU opened with a 9-0 run. The Jackrabbits led by as many as 46 points late in the game as they forced 26 UMC turnovers.
Ashley Eide led all players with 17 points on 6-of-10 shooting from the field. Waytashek finished with 14 points - all of which came in the first half, while Mariah Clarin and Leah Dietel each scored 10. Clarin narrowly missed a double-double as she led all players with nine rebounds - eight of which came on the offensive end. SDSU held a 49-37 advantage on the boards.
The Jackrabbits finished the game 30-of-68 from the field, 44.1 percent, but were only 3-of-17 from three-point range. At the line, SDSU made 23-of-30 attempts, 76.7 percent.
Minnesota-Crookston, a member of NCAA Division II's Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference, ended the afternoon 14-of-59 from the floor, 23.7 percnt, including a 1-for-13 effort from long range. The Golden Eagles fared better at the line, converting 14-of-16 attempts, 87.5 percent.
SDSU concludes the exhibition season by hosting Black Hills State. Action begins at 6 p.m., with the men's game to follow.
