BROOKINGS – While the Jackrabbits’ 66-52 nonconference win over North Dakota on Wednesday at Frost Arena wasn’t really pretty, but it really wasn’t in doubt, either.

The Fighting Hawks held a one-point edge at 4-3 after a basket by Bailey Strand in the lane for just 14 seconds before Tagyn Larson answered with her hoop in the paint.

With 6 minutes left in the quarter, Fallyn Freije’s basket knotted the score at 8-8, but a pair of free throws pushed SDSU back into the lead seven seconds later and the Jacks led the rest of the way – up 17-14 after a quarter.

SDSU scored the final five points of the second quarter on an Ellie Thompson free throw and inside baskets by Sydney Tracy and Guebert to lead 31-22 at halftime.

North Dakota closed to within six, 43-37, through three after the Jacks were up by 10 at 41-31 following a 3-pointer by Sydney Palmer with 3:12 to play in the frame.

Macy Miller knocked down a mid-range jumper to open the fourth and although UND got within five points on two different occasions – 47-42 and 49-44 – the Jacks never lost their cool and cruised to their third straight win.

Tylee Irwin knocked down a 3 to increase the lead to double digits at 54-44 with 4:33 left before Miller popped another trey to make it 59-48 at the 3-minute mark.

After Klabo scored for the Hawks with 1:38 remaining, SDSU tallied the final five points of the contest – two tosses for Miller; 1-of-2 for Thompson; and two more by Irwin – for the final 14-point margin.

Miller led the Jacks with 18 points, eight rebounds and two assists while Guebert chipped in with 12 points and two dimes.

Klabo posted a double-double with 22 points and 12 boards as UND dropped to 0-2.

Notes (From SDSU SID): Macy Miller’s 18 points kept her in 28th place in career scoring with 1,173 points. She needs two points to pass Lisa Kurtenbach for 27th… Ellie Thompson’s seven points Wednesday night gives her 1,016 career points and she ranks 35th in career scoring at SDSU… Madison Guebert’s 12 points Wednesday  night give her 884 career points, 116 points shy of 1,000 career points… Head coach Aaron Johnston is now 13 wins away from becoming The Summit League leader in overall victories. He has won 248 games.

On Saturday, the Jackrabbits travel to Green Bay to face the Phoenix in an afternoon contest. Tipoff is at 1 p.m.

SOUTH DAKOTA STATE 66,

NORTH DAKOTA 52

North Dakota (0-2)

Lexi Klabo 8-15 6-7 22, Fallyn Freije 3-11 3-4 9, Melissa Dailey 3-17 1-6 7, Bailey Strand 2-6 0-0 5, Jill Morton 1-3 1-2 3, Julia Fleecs 2-2 0-0 4, Mikayla Reinke 0-0 1-2 1, Akealy Moton 0-1 1-2 2, Chastity Franklin 0-4 0-0 0, Melissa Leet 0-1 0-0 0. Totals 19-60 13-23 52.

South Dakota State (3-0)

Macy Miller 6-13 5-5 18, Madison Guebert 4-13 2-2 12, Ellie Thompson 2-8 3-6 7, Tagyn Larson 2-9 0-0 4, Alexis Alexander 0-3 0-0 0, Tylee Irwin 3-6 2-2 9, Sydney Palmer 3-4 0-0 8, Sydney Tracy 2-4 0-0 4, Rylie Cascio Jensen 1-5 0-0 2, Chynna Stevens 0-3 2-2 2. Totals 23-68 14-17 66.

UND 14    8  15  15  –  52

SDSU 17  14  12  23  –  66

3-point goals – UND 1-12 (Dailey 0-7, Strand 1-4, Morton 0-1); SDSU 6-26 (Miller 1-4, Guebert 2-7, Thompson 0-4, Larson 0-2, Alexander 0-1, Irwin 1-1, Palmer 2-3, Cascio Jensen 0-2, Stevens 0-2). Rebounds – UND 44 (Klabo 12, Freije 9); SDSU 47 (Miller 8, Larson 8). Assists – UND 9 (Strand 3); SDSU 13 (Miller 2, Guebert 2, Alexander 2, Cascio Jensen 2). Steals – UND 11 (Reinke 3); SDSU 9 (Alexander 2). Blocks – UND 6 (Reinke 3); SDSU 10 (Thompson 5). Turnovers – UND 23; SDSU 19. Total fouls – UND 20; SDSU 18. Fouled out – None.

A – 1,646.