MACOMB, Ill. – The South Dakota State women's basketball team dropped an 83-77 Summit League game at Western Illinois Wednesday in front of 1,303 fans at Western Hall.
The Jackrabbits, who trailed by 77-76 with 50 seconds remaining, were unable to convert at the free-throw line while the Fighting Leathernecks closed the game by going 6-for-6 from the line.
Madison Guebert led all scorers with 23 points, including six 3-pointers, for the 19-7, 10-4 Jackrabbits. Ellie Thompson recorded her third double-double of the season and eighth of her career with 17 points and a game-high 10 rebounds. Kerri Young added 14 points and a career-high tying eight assists. Clarissa Ober added 13 points and seven boards.
Western Illinois, 21-6, 11-3, was led by Emily Clemens' 20 points. Morgan Blumer and Olivia Braun added 18 and 17 points, respectively.
Guebert sank a 3-pointer to give the Jacks a 10-point lead, 45-35, to open the second half. However, Western Illinois pulled to within four, 45-41, and then tied the game at 50 with 2:58 left after Michelle Farrow sank back-to-back 3-pointers.
The teams traded points until a pair of free throws by Guebert at the end of the quarter left the Jackrabbits down one, 60-59.
Western Illinois built a six-point lead, 67-61, with 7:41 to play after Clemens sank four straight free throws. The Fighting Leathernecks held its second six-point lead at 1:56, but Guebert's sixth 3-pointer cut the lead to three, 76-73.
After Blumer made 1-of-2 at the foul line, Alexis Alexander sank a 3-pointer with 50 seconds remaining to trail 77-76.
Notes – Ober scored her 800th career point tonight. She now has 808 career points... Young moved into 22nd in career scoring and has 1,279 career points... Guebert sank six 3-pointers to set the single-season sophomore 3-point record with 80. She also took over sixth in single-season 3-point field goals... Guebert recorded her eighth 20-plus point game of the season.
Up Next – South Dakota State returns to action Saturday when it travels to Fort Wayne for a 3 p.m. game.
