Nov. 9—BROOKINGS — It was a historic night in more ways than one for the South Dakota State women on Friday.
Playing the first regular season game at new First Bank & Trust Arena, the Jackrabbits knocked off the 21st-ranked Creighton Blue Jays 76-71, the 18th win over a ranked team in the Division I era.
On top of that, it was the 600th career win for coach Aaron Johnston, against just 191 defeats.
The Jackrabbits trailed by as many as eight in the second quarter but worked back to within three at the halftime break. A five-point trip down the floor that included a Mesa Byom and-one opportunity, Brooklyn Meyer offensive rebound and Paige Meyer trey made it 31-28 in favor of the visitors after 20 minutes.
SDSU came out of the locker room firing on all cylinders and shot 80 percent in the third period. Brooklyn Meyer who was held to four points in the first half, quickly upped that total by making her first five shots of the second. Meyer, Byom and Haleigh Timmer combined for an 11-point run over two minutes in the third quarter that gave the Jackrabbits the lead for good at 47-39.
Kallie Theisen opened the fourth quarter with the 10th 3-pointer of her career, sparking a 12-2 stretch that put SDSU up 13, 63-50. Madison Mathiowetz connected on a pair of 3-pointers in back-to-back possessions which helped the Jacks maintain a 10-point lead with two minutes left. Creighton worked back to within five over the final moments but was held off by Jackrabbit free throws.
Five Jackrabbits put up double figures, led by 17 from Brooklyn Meyer for the second straight game. Meyer also contributed six rebounds and two blocks while drawing six fouls.
Mathiowetz added 13 points on a 4-for-6 shooting effort. Timmer had 12 points and four rebounds. Byom just missed a double-double, tallying 11 points and nine boards off the bench.
Paige Meyer recorded 10 points, five rebounds, four assists and two steals, both of which resulted in breakaway layups. Theisen chipped in seven points and five rebounds, including three offensive boards. State collected nine offensive rebounds in total and scored 13 second chance points.
SDSU shot 50 percent for the contest and 65 percent in the second half. Creighton was 44 percent from the floor. The Jacks were 35 percent from deep compared to 32 percent for the Bluejays.
Lauren Jensen’s 23 points for Creighton led all players. She also dished a team-high four assists.
