Following their victory against Omaha, the SDSU women’s basketball team traveled to the University of South Dakota to face off against the Coyotes in a Summit League matchup. A strong start by the Jacks set the tone for a victory of 63-55.
Despite a slow start, SDSU got on track quickly by executing a 14-0 run with seven points a piece from Megan Waytashek and Ashley Eide earning them a commanding lead that they would not give up for the rest of the contest. Waytashek would finish the first half with 11 points, also grabbing a rebound and dishing two assists in the process.
“I just thought we played very tough tonight,” Waytashek said. “I’m very proud of us for getting it done.”
The Jacks would finish the half with a lead of 34-27 after compiling a 20-2 run while shooting 66.7 percent from behind the three point line.
“We just have to handle our emotions and keep our composure,” Waytashek said. “I think that helped us.”
The second half started off similar to the first. SDSU controlled as USD failed to get in front. Early scoring by Katie Lingle kept the Jacks moving with a quick seven points and a late surge by Gabrielle Boever of seven straight points kept the Jacks moving in the right direction.
“As a leader you need to step up and kind of take over,” Boever said. “I think as an individual you just need to come out with that motivation to score.”
SDSU controlled the boards collecting 42 total rebounds compared to the Coyote’s 30 rebounds, 18 of them being on the offensive side.
“Our post players did a pretty good job of making it tough for them to get looks and then rebounding,” SDSU women’s basketball head coach Aaron Johnston said. “We rebound pretty well, we’ve got some big strong athletic players that go and get it.”
Despite finishing with just 39.3 percent shooting from the field, late free throws from Eide and Tara Heiser kept the Jacks in front as they held on for their eighth Summit League win. Waytashek finished the contest with 18 points, while Eide put up 15 points and also collected six rebounds.
“It was a real good, tough win,” Johnston said. “For us to come down here and play as well as we did… It was a good sign for us.”
Following the victory, SDSU now holds first place in the Summit League avoiding a possible tie with USD that would have been possible with a loss.
“We were going to leave in first place either by ourselves or with somebody,” Johnston said. “We wanted to just try and make the most of the opportunity, the opportunity to play in a big rivalry game.”
Following the victory, SDSU improves to 18-6 (8-1 Summit) on the season and will remain on the road to face off against Kansas City on Feb. 2 with tipoff scheduled for 2:00 p.m. before returning to Frost Arena to go against Fort Wayne on Feb. 7.
Source:
http://www.sdsucollegian.com/2013/01/30/womens-basketball-jackrabbits-pull-into-first-place/
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