MACOMB, Ill. – Summit League play began for the Western Illinois (2-4, 0-1) women's basketball team on Wednesday night as the Jackrabbits of South Dakota State (4-3, 1-0) and the Leathernecks squared off inside Western Hall. Over 50 percent (34-for-66) shooting and three Jackrabbits in double-digits powered SDSU to the 82-56 victory.
The glass favored the taller SDSU squad as it won the rebound battle 46-22.
South Dakota State jumped out to an early advantage with the first six points of the game, which turned into a 14-6 run.
Western Illinois would close the gap with a 9-2 run, capped by a Michele Salvatori layup making the score 17-15 in favor of the visitors, at the 11:21 mark.
Another run from the Jacks would extend its lead to 31-18 with 4:26 remaining before the break.
The half would come to a close as Western just managed just one bucket, a jumper from Valencia Kelly, over the final four minutes.
At the break, SDSU held a 40-22 advantage and were led by nine points from Steph Paluch.
The Leathernecks were paced by six points from Sadie Webb. Western shot 27 percent (9-for-34) in the first half and 29 percent (2-for-7) from behind the arc.
During the first 20 minutes of action, SDSU outrebounded Western 30-13 including 10 offensive boards for the Jackrabbits.
The second half opened with the Jackrabbits extending its lead to 23 at 46-29 with 17:05. The deficit would grow to its largest (27) at the 12:29 mark on after a three-point play from Leah Dietel.
A deep ball from Webb did cut the lead to fewer than 20 at 65-47 with 7:04 left in the game.
The Jackrabbits would continue to cruise to the Summit League opening victory and eventually win 82-56.
Webb led the Leathernecks with 12 points, her seventh straight game in double-figures. Kelly turned in a 10-point performance and dished out four assists. Salvatori and Christina Jones both collected six points.
The Purple & Gold shot 37 percent (20-for-54) from the field and 36 percent (5-for-14) from three-pointer.
The home stand concludes as North Dakota State visits Macomb on Saturday, Dec. 2 at 7 p.m.
