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Ashley Eide scored hit the 20-point mark for the third consecutive game, leading South Dakota State over North Dakota State, 76-57, in the Summit League women's basketball opener for both teams Sunday afternoon at Frost Arena.
In recording win No. 299 of head coach Aaron Johnston's career, the Jackrabbits improved to 9-5 overall. NDSU dropped to 4-9 on the season.
SDSU got off to a fast start, making eight of its first 10 shots from the field to build an early 18-5 lead. Back-to-back three-pointers by Eide and Megan Waytashek fueled the outburst, which included a pair of baskets by Leah Dietel.
The Jackrabbits continued to extend their lead throughout the first half, taking their largest lead of the opening stanza, 45-17, on consecutive three-pointers from opposite sides of the floor by Hannah Strop in the closing minutes. SDSU, which shot 54.8 percent (25-of-47) in the first half, led 45-19 at halftime.
The SDSU lead quickly grew to 30 points early in the second half. NDSU put together a run to get back to within 22 points at 58-36, but the Jackrabbits scored the next nine on treys by Eide and Waytashek, followed by a traditional three-point play by Dietel.
Eide finished with a game-high 20 points on 9-of-13 shooting from the field. Waytashek scored 17 points, while Dietel ended the afternoon with 14 points and a game-high eight rebounds.
The Jackrabbits shot an even 50 percent for the game, 28-of-56, including an 8-of-13 effort from behind the arc. Waytashek was 3-for-3 on three-pointers, while Hannah Strop went 3-for-4 en route to nine points. At the line, SDSU was 12-of-15, 80 percent.
Holly Johnson, Dani DeGagne and Katie Birkel each scored 11 points to lead NDSU. The Bison ended the day 23-of-56 from the field, 41.1 percent, with a 4-for-13 effort on three-point attempts. NDSU made 7-of-10 free throw tries for 70 percent.
NDSU held a slim 33-32 rebounding advantage as DeGagne and Jamie Van Kirk each recorded six rebounds.
The Jackrabbits return to action Thursday (Jan. 3) by hosting Kansas City in a 7 p.m. contest at Frost Arena.
NOTES: The all-time series is tied at 38 wins apiece ... SDSU has won 15 of the last 16 meetings and has a 15-3 record against the Bison in the Division I era ... The Jackrabbits wrapped up a successful December, going 6-1 during the month ... SDSU's 45 first-half points were the most by a Jackrabbit team in any half this season ... the Jackrabbits improved to 76-15 all-time in Summit League play, including 41-5 at Frost Arena ... NDSU led once, at 3-2 ... SDSU set season highs for points (76), field goals made (28), field goal percentage (50.0) and three-point percentage (61.5), while committing a season-low 11 turnovers ... Eide made her first seven shots from the field, while contributing six rebounds and three assists ... Strop's nine points were a season high ... Megan Stuart also set a season high with five points ... freshman guard Chloe Cornemann set a new career high with four assists and fellow point guard Gabby Boever established a new career high with four steals ... attendance was 1,959
