The South Dakota State women’s basketball team moved to 2-0 on the season with a 79-65 victory over Rice at First Bank & Trust Arena.

Star forward Brooklyn Meyer once again led the Jackrabbits, finishing with 22 points, 11 rebounds and eight blocks. The senior shot 9 for 19 from the field and 4 for 8 from the free-throw line.

Sophomore Katie Vasecka added 14 points, shooting 3 for 8 from the field and 8 for 12 from the free-throw line.

For Rice, senior guard Dominique Ennis led the team in scoring with 17 points on 6-for-17 shooting. Junior Victoria Flores followed with 16 points, four rebounds and two assists.

Rice scored first to open the game with a 3-0 lead before SDSU responded to go ahead 10-7 after a basket by Meyer. The Owls regained a 16-14 advantage on two free throws by Louann Battiston, but SDSU scored before the buzzer to tie the game at 16-16.

The Jackrabbits opened the second quarter with a 6-0 run to build a 22-16 lead. After a push from Rice, an Emilee Fox 3-pointer extended SDSU’s advantage to 29-20. The teams traded baskets until a late run by the Owls cut the deficit to 36-34. The half ended with SDSU holding a 38-34 lead.

Rice briefly retook the lead early in the third quarter after a 3-pointer from Victoria Flores made the score 43-42. Meyer responded on the next possession with a layup to put the Jacks back in front. A putback by Maggie Hartwig just before the end of the period gave the Jackrabbits a 57-50 lead heading into the fourth.

In the final quarter, Madison Mathiowetz hit a 3-pointer to give SDSU its largest lead of the game at 64-55. The Jackrabbits maintained that margin for the rest of the game to secure the victory.

The Jacks will remain at home for their next matchup against Murray State at 7 p.m., Tuesday, Nov. 11.