BROOKINGS, S.D. – Powered by a balanced offense and massive advantage in the rebounding column, South Dakota State topped Wisconsin Wednesday night at First Bank & Trust Arena to improve to 3-0 on the season.
Five Jackrabbits finished in double figures for the contest while two more had seven points. SDSU out-rebounded the Badgers 42-22, including 11-3 on the offensive glass.
Brooklyn Meyer, Mesa Byom and Haleigh Timmer tallied 13 points apiece to pace the Jacks. Meyer also posted seven rebounds, four assists and two steals. Byom finished with six boards while going 4-for-4 from both the field and the free throw line.
Paige Meyer followed the leading trio with 11 points on the night to go with six assists and four rebounds. Katie Vasecka chipped in 10 points, on 4-of-6 shooting, and had five rebounds, two blocks and two steals. Kallie Theisen and Madison Mathiowetz contributed seven points each.
The Jackrabbits shot a season-high 52 percent from the floor and knocked down 43 percent of their 3-point shots. SDSU’s 11-3 edge on the offensive boards resulted in a 15-0 advantage in second chance points. Wisconsin was 41 percent from the field on the night and 27 percent from long range. The Badgers forced 15 SDSU turnovers that resulted in 12 points off turnovers.
A 13-point run in the opening quarter put the Jackrabbits ahead, 17-6, seven minutes into the contest. Wisconsin ended the opening quarter with seven straight to come back within four after 10 minutes. The Jackrabbits again stretched their lead to double digits with eight straight points to start the second quarter. Timmer and Paige Meyer scored four points each in the run. The sides traded buckets through the remainder of the half, but Wisconsin scored the final five points to make it a six-point game at the break.
The Jacks maintained their lead through the third quarter and led by 12 after three periods. An 8-0 run in the fourth helped the home team put the game away, going up by 19 with five minutes to play. SDSU held Wisconsin scoreless over the final 2:50 as the Jacks ended the contest with seven straight points.
Serah Williams, the reigning Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year, scored 19 points and tallied nine rebounds, four assists and two blocks. Ronnie Porter was also in double figures with 11 points. Wisconsin slips to 2-1 on the year.
NOTES
- SDSU has shot 50 percent or better twice this season.
- The Jacks are now 3-2 all-time against the Badgers.
- SDSU starts the season 3-0 for the first time since 2020-21.
- Madison Mathiowetz’s seven points brings her to 500 points for her career.
- Haleigh Timmer has surpassed 750 points for her career.
UP NEXT
No. 25 South Dakota State hosts No. 16 Duke Sunday afternoon at First Bank & Trust Arena. Tip is set for 2:30 p.m. on CBS Sports Network.