KSFY News - Sioux Falls, SD News, Weather, SportsBig second half helps Jacks dump Oakland, 61-51

South Dakota State reserves keyed a 15-3 run early in the second half to get the Jackrabbits over the hump in a 61-51 victory at Oakland in Summit League women's basketball action Monday night.

The league-leading Jackrabbits won for the sixth time in a row, improving to 15-7 overall and 10-1 in league play. Oakland dropped to 10-10 overall and 6-5 in The Summit League.

Trailing 32-26 early in the second half, SDSU reeled off the next 12 points to grab control of the game. All 12 points came off the bench as Katie Lingle started the streak with two baskets, Hannah Strop added a bucket and freshman Rachel Walters hit consecutive three-pointers.

Meanwhile, Oakland went without a field goal for more than 10 minutes to start the second stanza. The Golden Grizzlies were 0-for-7 from the field before Shelby Herrington ended the drought with a jumper at the 9:08 mark to pull OU to within 43-37.

The Jackrabbits continued to build their lead from the perimeter as five of their next six baskets were of the three-point variety. Jill Young hit her fourth three-pointer of the game and Walters hit two more from long range to push the margin to 12 points, 55-43, with less than four minutes to play.

In all, SDSU made a season-high 12 three-pointers on 28 attempts. Overall, the Jackrabbits were 23-of-55 from the field, 41.8 percent. SDSU won despite attempting – and making -- only three free throw attempts in the game.

The first half was tightly contested, featuring 13 lead changes and three ties. SDSU's largest lead of the half was three points, 10-7, and the Jackrabbits led 23-22 until Oakland ended the half on a 7-0 run to take a 29-23 halftime advantage. Sharise Calhoun ignited the spurt with a three-pointer and basket, while Brittany Carnago scored just before the halftime buzzer.

Young paced the Jackrabbits with 15 points, followed by a career-high 12 from Walters and 10 by Ashley Eide.

Bethany Watterworth scored a game-high 25 points, with Calhoun adding 11 to lead Oakland. The Golden Grizzlies ended the night 18-of-51 from the field, 35.3 percent, including 4-of-12 from three-point range. OU was 11-of-14 on free throws, 78.6 percent.

SDSU finished with a 38-29 rebounding advantage with Lingle and Jennie Sunnarborg each pulling down seven rebounds. Watterworth shared game-high honors with seven boards for OU.