BROOKINGS, S.D. - The Western Illinois Women's Basketball team fell to South Dakota State by a score of 65-40 on Saturday, Feb. 12 at Frost Arena.
The Fighting Leathernecks (7-16, 5-8) dropped their third Summit League contest in a row as the Jackrabbits (12-13, 8-6) used a solid offensive performance to pick up the win.
Western Illinois scored the first bucket on Michele Salvatori's layup just 38 seconds into regulation, but the Jackrabbits reeled off a 13-0 run to take an 11-point lead with 15:43 remaining.
The Leathernecks cut the deficit to as few as seven points (15-8) with just under 13 minutes in the first half but South Dakota State would mount a 14-2 run over the next nine minutes to build a 29-10 lead.
Western Illinois would respond by cutting the deficit to 12 points (36-24) at the break. The Leathernecks outscored the Jackrabbits 14-7 over the final four and a half minutes of play.
Valencia Kelly scored eight of her team-leading 10 points in the first half but South Dakota State shot 56.5 percent (13-for-23) in the first 20 minutes to keep the Leathernecks at bay.
A pair of jumpers from Sadie Webb to start the second half cut the Jackrabbit lead to eight points (36-28) before South Dakota State went on a 20-8 run over the next eight minutes to build a 56-36 lead.
The Jackrabbits would lead by as many as 29 points (65-36) with just under five minutes to play before the Leathernecks scored the last four points to make the score 65-40.
Rachel Evans grabbed a game-high six rebounds in 21 minutes of play and Salvatori chipped in with eight points.
Sadie Webb was held under 10 points for the first time in the past nine games as she finished with four on just 2-for-11 shooting.
Kristin Rotert led all scorers with 22 points for the Jackrabbits while Jennie Sunnarborg poured in 16 and grabbed five rebounds.
South Dakota State shot 47.9 percent (23-for-48) from the floor including 42.9 percent (9-for-21) from beyond the arc. The Leathernecks shot just 25.9 percent (14-for-54) from the floor and were 0-for-13 from three-point range.
Western Illinois converted 85.7 percent (12-of-14) free throws and forced 18 turnovers. The Jackrabbits forced 16 turnovers and dished out 18 assists in the contest.
South Dakota State won the battle on the boards by a 37-30 margin. The Leatherneck bench outscored the Jackrabbit bench 14-12.
The Leathernecks will conclude their two-game road trip with a game against North Dakota State at 7 p.m. on Monday at Bison Sports Arena.
