SIOUX FALLS, S.D. — South Dakota State women’s basketball built a decisive first-half surge and held off multiple Gonzaga pushes down the stretch, defeating the Bulldogs 72–63 on Thursday night at the Pentagon in Sioux Falls.
The teams traded baskets early and ended the first quarter tied at 17, but SDSU seized control with a 27-14 second quarter that flipped the game. The Jackrabbits strung together stops, forced Gonzaga into turnovers, and stretched the floor with timely perimeter shooting to take a 44–31 lead into halftime.
Gonzaga never fully recovered.
SDSU guard Madison Mathiowetz led the Jackrabbits with 17 points, Katie Vasecka added 16 points, and Hadley Thul chipped in 10.
Gonzaga leaned heavily on Allie Turner, who scored 19 points and kept the Bulldogs within striking distance with a series of tough jumpers and a late three with 1:00 remaining. Lauren Whittaker posted a strong double-double with 15 points and 13 rebounds, while Zeryhia Aokuso finished with 9.
The Bulldogs cut SDSU’s lead to 70–60 with 1:24 to play on a Whittaker jumper, but the Jacks answered immediately. Brooklyn Meyer scored inside with 1:12 remaining — her ninth point — on a feed from Emilee Fox, who finished with six assists. Gonzaga managed just one field goal in the final 90 seconds.
SDSU’s defensive energy in the second half proved decisive. The Jacks forced Gonzaga into repeated empty trips, including six fourth-quarter turnovers, and contested nearly every perimeter look. Whittaker’s work on the boards kept the Bulldogs alive, but SDSU consistently responded with stops of its own, including a key block by Meyer with 8:28 left.
Gonzaga made another push early in the fourth, closing to 66–54 on a Turner layup, but Maggie Hartwig’s corner three at the 5:55 mark steadied the Jacks and restored a 69–54 cushion.
South Dakota State improves to 5-0 and continues its strong early-season form with balanced scoring and stretches of airtight defense.
SDSU returns to the floor next week at the Cancun Challenge when they face No. 12/14 North Carolina on Thursday, November 27 at 10 am CST.