BROOKINGS, S.D. – South Dakota State University shot 62 percent in the second half to defeat Southwest Minnesota State 76-50 in exhibition play on Thursday night in Brookings, S.D. The Jackrabbits had three players in double-digits in scoring led by Jennie Sunnarborg who finished with 15 points.
Abby Kenealy led SMSU with 10 points and nine rebounds while Taylor Voss finished with nine points on 4 of 6 shooting. The Mustangs finished the game on 17 of 46 shooting, including 5 of 14 from 3-point range.
SMSU turned the ball over 29 times in the game compared to 14 for the Jackrabbits. The Mustangs were tough on the boards finishing with 32 rebounds compared to 35 for SDSU.
The Mustangs grabbed a 13-12 lead when Nathalie Svensson drilled a 3-pointer at 13:49 of the first half. Kenealy added to SMSU’s lead hitting four consecutive free-throws and Hope Bonlander scored her first bucket of the game to extend the Mustangs’ lead to 19-14.
Ashley Eide and Jill Young hit back-to-back 3-pointers to give the Jackrabbits a 24-22 lead over SMSU. Steph Paluch picked up a steal on SMSU’s next possession to extend SDSU’s lead to 26-22. Young drilled another shot from behind the arc pushing the lead to 29-22 with just under six minutes to play in the half.
SMSU trailed 36-29 going into halftime after the Jackrabbits went on an 18-7 scoring run in the final 7:39 in the first half. SDSU finished the first half on 4 of 12 shooting from 3-point range overcoming an early deficit to take the lead into the locker room.
Bree Holleman and Bonlander led SMSU in scoring in the first half each picking up seven points. SMSU shot 42 percent in the first half, including 4 of 7 from behind the arc. The Mustangs helped the Jackrabbits back into the game turning the ball over 17 times in the first half.
SMSU outrebounded the Jackrabbits in the first half 19 to 16. The Mustangs grabbed 15 defensive rebounds in the first half, led by Kenealy who finished with four defensive boards. Bonlander added three defensive rebounds for the Mustangs in the first half as well.
SDSU extended its lead opening up the second half with a 9-0 run. Kenealy got the Mustangs on the board in the second half hitting a jumper at 14:45 to make the score 47-31 in favor of SDSU.
The Jackrabbits shot 62 percent from the field in the second half, finishing the game 30 of 60 from the floor, 50 percent on the night.
Freshman Bonlander saw her first action for the brown and gold. She finished with seven points and four rebounds. Holleman finished the game with seven points, four rebounds and two assists. Svensson knocked down two 3-pointers in her Mustang debut.
Southwest Minnesota State will begin regular season play on Saturday, Nov. 12, hosting the University of Sioux Falls at 2 p.m. at the R/A Facility.
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