BROOKINGS, S.D. - Western Illinois (2-10, 1-3) made it a three-point game early in the fourth quarter, but a late South Dakota State (9-2, 2-0) run lifted the Jackrabbits 87-66 on Saturday (Jan. 9) night.
"I hate the way that game ended, but I really thought we pushed them- cutting it to three in the fourth quarter," head coach JD Gravina said. "We got some stops down there stretch but gave up offensive rebounds and then had some turnovers that led to easy baskets. Still, I think we took some positive steps this weekend playing against a very good team."
It was the Elizabeth Lutz show in the fourth quarter. The junior guard erupted for 12 points in the frame and nailed one of two three-pointers to make it a one-possession game, 59-62 (7:29). She helped maintain the game into single digits before SDSU went on a 14-0 run to take game two.
Lutz scored a season-high 18 points, and Danni Nichols added 12 to finish in double-figures for the fourth consecutive game and has ended in double-digits each Summit League game. Evan Zars nearly added her second straight double with 13 points and nine rebounds.
SDSU took advantage of eight WIU turnovers in the first 10 minutes to hold a 16-6 edge.
The Leathernecks erased their slow first quarter start and opened the second frame with an 8-2 run to make it 14-18 (8:02) with a Nichols layup. Back-to-back three-pointers from Lutz and Nichols led Western into the half down, 25-36.
In the third quarter, both sides traded bucket for bucket as the Jackrabbits held a 50-36 lead into the media timeout. A Carla Flores layup and a Sam Pryor three led an 8-0 run to make it a six-point game, 44-50 (1:57). SDSU used another quick run again to go ahead 57-47 into the fourth.
Western returns home to host back-to-back series against Kansas City (Jan. 15-16) and South Dakota (Jan. 22-23). All games are set for 4:30 p.m.
