Dec. 29, 2011

Box Score | Notes

South Dakota State (8-6, 3-0)

1st 2nd F South Dakota St. 32 30 62 Oakland 27 25 52 Box Score | |

OAKLAND (5-7, 1-2)

Stat Comparison South Dakota State Oakland Points 62 52 FG Made-Attempted 21-52 22-51 FG Percentage 40.4 43.1 3P Made-Attempted 5-16 4-10 3P Percentage 31.3 40.0 FT Made-Attempted 15-19 4-11 FT Percentage 78.9 36.4 Rebounds 41 27 Turnovers 17 14 Individual Leaders Stat South Dakota State Oakland Points Jennie Sunnarboarg - 21 Bethany Watterworth-13 Rebounds Leah Dietel - 9 Zakiya Minifee-6 Assists Four tied with 4 Victoria Lipscomb - 4 Steals Steph Paluch, Jill Young - 2 Zakiya Minifee, Malika Glover - 2 Blocks Leah Dietel - 2 Brittany Carnago - 3

BROOKINGS, S.D. -Bethany Watterworth scored 13 points and Sharise Calhounadded 11, as the Oakland women's basketball team (5-7, 1-2) fell, 62-52, to South Dakota State (8-6, 3-0) in Summit League action on Thursday at Frost Arena. The Golden Grizzlies shot 43.1 percent from the field.

"I thought it was a good game and a good battle between the teams," said Oakland head coach Beckie Francis. "We had a lead early, but they kept battling back and we did the same when they had the lead. I feel like our teams are almost clones of one another in how well they defend."

The Golden Grizzlies trimmed a four-point deficit to 41-40 on a basket by Brittany Carnago. However, on the ensuing possession Carnago was whistled for her fourth foul, sparking the Jackrabbits to an 8-2 run. Carnago finished with eight points, five rebounds, four assists and three blocks in just 17 minutes of action.

"I thought Brittany Carnago'sfoul trouble was the game-changer," said Francis. "I thought South Dakota State had a hard time defending her and we were going to her on purpose. She is a great shot-blocker and our defense changes when she is not in the game."

Jennie Sunnarborg scored a game-high 21 points for SDSU, including 10 points over the final 10 minutes. Ashley Eide hit seven free throws and finished with 17 points as SDSU outscored Oakland 15-4 at the free-throw line. Jill Young added 12 points.

The Golden Grizzlies trailed 32-27 at the half, but started the second half with a 7-1 run and took the lead on a free throw by Julia Vestin. SDSU responded to retake the lead as the game remained close throughout.

Oakland shot 50 percent from the field in the first half and led by as many as nine points following a pair of free throws by Malika Glover. However, the Jackrabbits responded with a 13-0 run, holding the Golden Grizzlies scoreless for a stretch of 6:18, before Liz Hamlet hit a 3-pointer with one minute left in the opening half.

The Golden Grizzlies will continue their Summit League road trip with a game against North Dakota State on Saturday at 8 p.m. ET.

-OAKLAND-