BROOKINGS, S.D. -- The South Dakota State women's basketball team scored early and often in a 114-50 win over Western Illinois Saturday afternoon at Frost Arena. All five SDSU starters put up double figures in the contest, paced by 19 from Paige Meyer.
With 114 points and 45 field goals, the Jackrabbits (12-8, 8-1 Summit) nearly set single-game program records in both categories. The SDSU record for both marks was set against Texas A&M International in 2003, when the Jacks scored 119 points with 47 field goals. The Jackrabbits opened up a 20-3 lead over the first six minutes and never looked back, leading 28-11 after one quarter, 62-22 at halftime and 88-33 after three periods. Meyer was joined in double digits by Paiton Burckhard (15), Tylee Irwin (14), Tori Nelson (13) and Myah Selland (12). Kallie Theisen and Haleigh Timmer came off the bench to add nine and six points, respectively.
Meyer was nearly perfect from the floor, going 8-for-9 in field goal shooting and 2-for-3 from beyond the arc. The freshman also led the team in steals and assists, tallying six of each to go with three rebounds and one blocked shot. Nelson and Selland led the Jackrabbits on the boards with seven rebounds apiece.
SDSU finished the game 64% from the field, connected on 11 3-pointers and was 13-for-13 from the free throw line. The Jackrabbits outscored the Leathernecks 58-14 in the paint and 31-5 off turnovers.
SDSU's defense held the Leathernecks to 27 percent shooting and 14 field goals, seven of which were 3-pointers. Danni Nichols, who averages 17.7 points, was allowed just seven points. Elizabeth Lutz led Western Illinois (12-7, 3-4 Summit) with 12 points before she fouled out.
