November 20, 2003

No. 1 SDSU Beats Women’s Basketball

Two Big Runs Propel Jackrabbits

            Kearney, NE – In a frantically paced game that featured a combined 55 turnovers and 42 fouls, the No. 1 ranked South Dakota State Jackrabbits beat the Nebraska-Kearney women’s basketball team, 74-56, Thursday night in the Holiday Isle Classic in Tavernier, Fla.

            SDSU, defending national champions, improve to 2-0 while the Lopers are 0-1 for the third straight year. Northern Kentucky beat Nova Southeastern (Fla.), 61-39, in the early game. UNK will play NSU Saturday at 5:30 p.m. while SDSU will play NKU afterwards in a rematch of last year’s national title game.

            A free throw by junior Taryn Ninemire gave UNK a 12-11 lead with nine minutes left in the first half. SDSU responded with an 11-0 run over the next four minutes to grab a 21-12 lead. The ‘Rabbits, who led 36-24 at the break, wouldn’t trail again.

            Sophomore center Kale Modlin caught fire early in the second half and scored 10 straight points for UNK. Her last jumper in the stretch made it 51-41 ‘Rabbits with 11:37 to go. 

            After two and half scoreless minutes, SDSU erupted for 13 straight points to finish the Lopers off. The run was capped by a Heather Sisler three that made the score 64-41 at the seven minute mark.

            UNK shot just 33.8 percent from the floor, including a 1 for 19 effort from the three point line. The Lopers also committed 27 turnovers against tough SDSU pressure.

            The ‘Rabbits, which out rebounded UNK 37-31, also had trouble hanging onto the ball, having 28 turnovers and shooting just 41.9 percent for the game. After a 3 for 13 effort from the three point line in the first half, SDSU did sink five of seven triples in the second half.  

            Modlin and senior Allison Kruger combined to go 17 of 30 from the floor to tally 34 of the Lopers points. Kruger had 14 of her 16 points in the first 20 minutes while Modlin had 14 of her 18 points after the break. No other Loper made more than two field goals for the game.

            Brenda Davis led SDSU with 14 points and was one of four ‘Rabbits in double figures.