BROOKINGS, S.D. (Interstat) — The South Dakota State women’s basketball team delivered a commanding performance Thursday night, routing Denver 90-44 at Frost Arena. The Jackrabbits, now 14-4 overall, seized control early with a 22-point first quarter and never relented, leading 41-20 at halftime before a 28-point third quarter put the game out of reach. Brooklyn Meyer led South Dakota State with 18 points, while Madison Mathiowetz added 15 and Maggie Hartwig scored 14. Denver, which fell to 7-10, was led by Coryn Watts’ 14 points. The Pioneers struggled offensively throughout, scoring just eight points in both the second and fourth quarters. Attendance was 2,480.

BROOKINGS, S.D. (Interstat) — The South Dakota State Jackrabbits delivered a dominant performance from start to finish, overwhelming the Denver Pioneers 90-44 in a Summit League women’s basketball game Thursday night at Frost Arena. The Jackrabbits, improving to 14-4 overall, showcased their depth and offensive firepower, building a 22-12 lead after the first quarter and never looking back. The Pioneers, who fell to 7-10, struggled to find any consistent rhythm against South Dakota State’s stifling defense, which forced numerous turnovers and contested shots throughout the contest. South Dakota State’s offensive execution was clinical, particularly in the paint and in transition. The tone was set early as Brooklyn Meyer, a 6-foot-2 sophomore from Larchwood, Iowa, scored six quick points in the opening minutes. Denver briefly responded with back-to-back three-pointers from Laia Monclova to pull within 9-6, but the Jackrabbits immediately answered with an 11-0 run to seize control. The surge was fueled by Madison Mathiowetz, who scored seven points during the stretch, including a three-pointer and a layup off a steal. The second quarter followed a similar pattern, with South Dakota State extending its lead to 41-20 by halftime. Denver managed only eight points in the period, hampered by shooting woes and eight first-half turnovers that the Jackrabbits converted into 13 points. Any hope of a Denver comeback was extinguished in the third quarter as South Dakota State erupted for 28 points. The Jackrabbits’ ball movement was exceptional, leading to a series of open looks. Emilee Fox hit two three-pointers in the quarter, while Meyer and Mathiowetz continued their efficient scoring. Denver’s Coryn Watts hit a three-pointer just before the third-quarter buzzer, but the Pioneers trailed 69-36 entering the final period. The fourth quarter saw South Dakota State head coach Aaron Johnston utilize his bench extensively, with reserves like Abby Hoselton and Brooklynn Felchle contributing to the final margin. The Jackrabbits’ defense held Denver to eight points in the final frame, matching the Pioneers’ lowest single-quarter output of the night. Meyer led all scorers with 18 points on 7-of-11 shooting, adding four assists and a blocked shot. Mathiowetz, a 5-10 guard from Sleepy Eye, Minnesota, filled the stat sheet with 15 points, two assists, and two steals in just 23 minutes. Maggie Hartwig added 14 points, five assists, and five rebounds, demonstrating her all-around game. Fox provided a spark off the bench with 11 points. For Denver, Watts, a guard from Aurora, Colorado, finished with 14 points. Monclova, a 6-1 forward from Mallorca, Spain, was the only other Pioneer in double figures with nine points, all scored in the first half. The most important part of the game was the opening quarter, specifically South Dakota State’s decisive 11-0 run after Denver had closed to within three points. That burst, fueled by defensive pressure and efficient scoring, established a double-digit lead that Denver never challenged. It underscored the Jackrabbits’ ability to respond instantly to any sign of momentum from the opponent and set the trajectory for the remainder of the lopsided contest. South Dakota State shot 54% from the field for the game and assisted on 24 of its 34 made baskets, while Denver was held to 29% shooting. The Jackrabbits also dominated points in the paint, 48-18, and points off turnovers, 23-6. A crowd of 2,480 at Frost Arena watched the Jackrabbits win their second consecutive conference game. Denver has now lost three of its last four. South Dakota State will host North Dakota State on Saturday. Denver travels to face South Dakota on the same day.

Preview: Denver at South Dakota State Women’s Basketball BROOKINGS, S.D. (Interstat) — A Summit League women’s basketball matchup on Thursday pits the struggling Denver Pioneers against the conference powerhouse South Dakota State Jackrabbits at Frost Arena. South Dakota State (13-4 overall) enters as the clear favorite, boasting a robust record that includes an 82-70 road win over then-Kansas State in nonconference play. The Jackrabbits are coming off a dominant 103-76 victory over Oral Roberts on Jan. 10, where they shot 58.7% from the field. They have won three straight since close losses to then-Texas and Duke in December. Denver (7-9) seeks to stabilize after a 1-2 start to league play, most recently falling 74-65 in overtime at Saint Thomas (Minn.) on Jan. 8. The Pioneers’ season has been marked by inconsistency, with a 37-point loss to North Dakota State on Jan. 3 bracketed by a win over North Dakota and competitive nonconference showings. The game features a compelling individual duel between two of the league’s top performers. Denver will rely on guard Laia Monclova, who is averaging 17.8 points over her last five games. She logged 44 minutes and scored 17 points with six assists in the overtime loss to Saint Thomas. For South Dakota State, forward Brooklyn Meyer has been a force, averaging 19.6 points over her last five contests. She posted 19 points, seven rebounds and two blocks in just 26 minutes against Oral Roberts. Meyer scored 27 points in the loss at Duke, demonstrating her ability against top-tier competition. The Jackrabbits have showcased a high-powered offense, scoring 103 and 88 points in two of their last four games. Denver’s defense, which allowed 81 points to North Dakota State, will face a significant challenge containing South Dakota State’s balanced attack, which saw Emilee Fox and Katie Vasecka join Meyer in scoring 17 points apiece last game. Historically, Frost Arena has been a formidable venue for visitors. Denver will need exceptional performances from Monclova and fellow guard Coryn Watts, who also scored 17 against Saint Thomas, to counter South Dakota State’s depth and home-court advantage. This is the first of two regular-season meetings between the teams. They will meet again in Denver on Feb. 21. Tip-off is scheduled for 7 p.m. CST on Thursday, Jan. 15, 2026.