Brian Kimmes

The Lady Jackrabbits squared off against Middle Tennessee State Friday Dec. 3 in Frost Arena. The MTSU Blue Raiders qualified for the NCAA tournament last year and had a 3-2 record heading into the game against the Jacks.

The Jackrabbits fell to the Blue Raiders 79-72. The Jacks fell behind midway through the first quarter. SDSU held a lead of 10-6, but managed only six points during the next 10 minutes. The largest deficit the Jacks faced was 29-13 with about six minutes left to play in the first half. The Jacks fought their way back the rest of the half and were only down by five points at halftime. The Jacks were within one point, 62-61, during the second half, but never became closer. The Blue Raiders hit free throws down the stretch to hold off the Jackrabbits’ rally.

Two Blue Raiders accounted for almost 70 percent of the team’s scoring. Chrissy Givens and Krystle Horton scored 53 points combined. Givens led the way with 27, and Horton added 26.

Megan Vogel led the Jacks in scoring with 19 points, 5 of 14 from the field and including one three pointer. Jennifer Warkenthien added 13 points, and Christina Gilbert contributed 10. Andrea Verdegan led the ‘Rabbits in rebounding with seven boards.

SDSU committed more turnovers than MTSU, 22-19.

The Jacks took on Wisconsin-Milwaukee Sunday afternoon in Frost Arena. The outcome of this game was in the Jacks’ favor as they defeated Wisconsin 70-55.

The Jacks did not pull away until the end of the game. The Jacks took the lead permanently midway through the second half when they went on a 12-0 run.

The Jacks had a balanced scoring attack, with four different players reaching double digits in points. Gilbert led the team with 12, Warkenthien scored 11 and Vogel and Heather Sieler each added 10 points.

Courtney Grimsrud’s eight rebounds led both teams.

The Jacks committed fewer turnovers, only 14, than did UWM, which had 27.

The victory gives the Jacks a 4-2 record on the year. The next two games for the Jacks are on the road. The women travel to Madison, Wis. to face a member of the Big Ten Conference, the University of Wisconsin Badgers, Dec. 8. The team then travels to Carbondale, Ill. to face Southern Illinois on Dec. 10.

The Jacks return home to Frost Arena for games against Texas State Dec. 17 at 7 p.m., and then Alabama comes to Brookings Dec. 18 for an afternoon game starting at 2 p.m.

#1.884825:2211055832.jpg:sdsuvsmil03_tc.jpg:Jacks’ Andrea Verdegan defends Middle Tennessee State’s Johnna Abney in the Jackrabbits’ 79-72 loss on Friday night.:Ty Carlson