South Dakota State plays host to Northern Illinois in first round of WNIT on Thursday

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BROOKINGS – For the 11th consecutive season, the South Dakota State women's basketball team will participate in postseason play as the Jackrabbits play host to Northern Illinois out of the Mid-American Conference on Thursday in the first round of the Women's National Invitation Tournament at Frost Arena.

"The WNIT will be an exciting challenge for our team. We are incredibly thankful to our administration for helping secure a first-round home game," SDSU head coach Aaron Johnston said. "Playing an excellent opponent like Northern Illinois will be a great postseason opportunity for our team."

Thursday's game marks the Jackrabbits' fourth appearance in the WNIT.

South Dakota State went a combined 2-2 in its first two WNIT Tournament appearances, including a 2-1 mark during a run to the quarterfinals in 2007.

In 2014, the Jackrabbits reached the semifinals with home wins over Butler, Creighton, Minnesota and Indiana. The Jackrabbits lost 66-63 at UTEP in the semis.

The Jackrabbits (22-8) secured a berth in the WNIT as an at-large bid after losing in the semifinals of the Summit League Women’s Basketball Championship last week.

South Dakota State recorded its 20th 20-win season since the program began in 1966-67 and its sixth consecutive 20-plus win season.

Northern Illinois enters the WNIT with a 21-11 overall record and 12-6 mark in the MAC after losing to Toledo in the championship of the MAC Tournament on March 11.

The winner of Thursday's game faces the winner of the Colorado versus UNLV game in the WNIT's second round. Location and time is yet to be determined.

For all WNIT games held in Frost Arena, season ticket holders will have the opportunity to purchase their regular-season seats. Season ticket holders will have until 5 p.m. Tuesday to purchase their seats. Due to the quick turnaround in the tournament, season ticket holders must purchase the same number of tickets for all WNIT games held in Frost Arena. Additional information will be emailed to season ticket holders. For more information, contact the Jackrabbit Ticket Office at 1-866-GoJacks or 688-5422 from 8 a.m.-5 p.m.

The general public will be able to purchase general admission tickets starting at 11 p.m. on Jackrabbittickets.com. Available reserved tickets can be purchased starting Tuesday at 5 p.m.

Reserved admission tickets are $20 and general admission $10. Children's general admission are $5 for ages 3-years old to 12th grade. SDSU student tickets are free with a valid student ID. Students can enter Frost Arena through the student entrance.

Two other Summit League teams reached the WNIT as IUPUI (24-8), which tied for second with SDSU in the conference standings, travels to Saint Louis (24-8) and fourth-place South Dakota (22-8) – the defending champion – plays host to North Dakota (20-10) on Thursday.

Participating schools at campus sites host the 64-team, single-elimination tournament.