GRAND FORKS, N.D. – The South Dakota State women won their Summit League opener on Sunday afternoon as they blew out North Dakota 74-53 at the Betty Engelstad Sioux Center.

With the win, the Jackrabbits improved to 7-5 overall and extended their win streak against UND to 15 games. UND last beat SDSU in 2004.

SDSU got off to a strong start as it led 12-2 four and a half minutes into the game and led 19-10 at the end of the first quarter. The Jacks then turned it on in the second quarter. They opened the second frame on an 11-2 run and would eventually outscore the Fighting Hawks 22-9 in the second quarter and took a 41-19 lead into halftime.

The Jacks largest lead of the game came three minutes into the third quarter as they led 50-21. SDSU then took a 21-point lead into the fourth quarter and cruised to an easy win in the first game of conference play.

The Jacks shot 41.9% from the field and were 6-of-22 from three. They were 16-of-29 at the free throw line. SDSU was led by Madison Mathiowetz who had 18 points. Brooklyn Meyer had 15 points, 12 rebounds, two steals and two blocks. Madysen Vlastuin had 13 points, four rebounds and two steals. Tori Nelson had nine points and eight rebounds.

UND shot 34.5% from the field and was 4-of-17 from three. The Fighting Hawks were 9-of-11 at the charity stripe. They were led by Kacie Borowicz who had 17 points. 

SDSU won the rebound battle 47-35. The Jacks outscored the Fighting Hawks 38-20 in the paint. UND had 17 turnovers and the Jacks scored 23 points off of them. SDSU had 12 turnovers.

The Jacks will finish up non-conference play next. They play at Northern Arizona on Wednesday at 7 p.m. and host Montana State on Saturday at 2 p.m.