BROOKINGS, S.D. - Feb. 8 - Southern Utah shot lights-out during the first half of its game against South Dakota State on Monday, recording a 53-percent clip from the field but trailed the Jackrabbits by three at the half. The team wasn't able to repeat its success in the second half, falling 93-59 in Brookings and dropping to 4-8 in league play (6-17 overall). SDSU moved to 14-9 and 10-3 in Summit League play with the victory.
The two teams battled back and forth in the first half, tying the game on eight different occasions and changing leads 12 times. Southern Utah finished the half shooting 53.6 percent on 15-of-28 shooting, but 14 first-half turnovers allowed the Jackrabbits to stay close. SDSU also used a trio of 3-point shots to stay within striking distance and closed out the half on a small 4-0 run to take a 36-33 lead into the locker rooms. The lead was in spite of a lower shooting percentage than the T-Birds as the Jacks hit 13-of-30 from the field (43.3 percent).
Following the break, SUU's Kaila Goff hit the first shot of the second half to pull the game to within one (36-35), but it would be as close as the Thunderbirds would get as South Dakota State began a 10-0 run to build the first double-digit lead of the game. The Jackrabbits used another 20-0 run later in the half to put a strangle hold on any hopes of an SUU comeback. South Dakota State's lead grew to as much as 37 (92-55) with less than 1:30 to play before a pair of Tayler Anderson free throws and a Stephanie Sampson layup, followed by an SDSU free throw, left the score at 93-59 at the final whistle.
Southern Utah was led by a trio of double-digit scorers, as Caitlyn Sears recorded a team-high 12 points and was followed by Challis Pascucci and Anderson with ten. Pascucci recorded her tenth double-double of the season as the junior pulled down a game-high 11 rebounds. South Dakota State's Ketty Cornemann led all scorers with 21 and was followed by Jill Young with 15 and Jennie Sunnarborg and Kristin Rotert each with ten.
The Thunderbirds will return to the Centrum for their next two games as SUU will host IPFW on Saturday night before meeting the Oakland Golden Grizzlies on Monday. Tip-off against the Mastodons is scheduled for 5:00 p.m. with game against OU set for 7:00 p.m.
