South Dakota State got the job done against North Dakota in the semifinal round of the 2025 Summit League Basketball Championships.
The Jackrabbits opened the game with six points, but Kiera Pemberton tied it up for North Dakota in three possessions. SDSU led 13-9 at the first media break. The Fighting Hawks only scored once after the media timeout, and SDSU went into the second quarter with a 22-11 lead.
Nine first-half points from Paige Meyer and eight from Brooklyn Meyer sent the Jacks to the locker room with a 34-21 lead. UND was led by Pemberton’s nine points in the first half, with Nevaeh Ferarra Horne and Mikayla Aumer tallying six points apiece.
The Jackrabbits opened the third frame on a 9-4 run, prompting a UND timeout. SDSU momentum carried throughout the contest, leading the Jackrabbits to a 29-point win, 84-55.
SDSU was led by Brooklyn Meyer with 22 points and 10 rebounds. Haleigh Timmer also notched a double-double 14 points and 10 boards. Paige Meyer added 17 points and Mesa Byom put up 11.
Coach Johnston was proud of the team’s effort on defense.
“Defensively I thought we were really sharp, and we made it hard for them to get the kind of looks that make them a good team.”
SDSU will face either No. 2 Oral Roberts or No. 6 Kansas City in the championship game Sunday at 3 p.m. in Sioux Falls. The championship can be viewed on CBS Sports Network.
Pemberton led the Fighting Hawks with 23 points, while Aumer added nine. Fatima Ibrahim pulled down nine boards.
“We were gonna have to play a really good game to give ourselves a chance. Unfortunately, we just weren’t knocking down shots the way we needed to keep pace early. It wasn’t our day.”
Coach Mallory Bernhard was tearful but positive about her team’s semifinal experience.
“I do think it was huge for them to get that confidence, to come down and get a win. I think it’s fantastic that we got the opportunity to play South Dakota State. The firsthand experience, the lessons that our team was able to learn playing them are invaluable. This has been one of the most fun teams I’ve ever coached. I’m just so happy we get everyone back.”
UND finishes the season 12-19 overall and 6-10 in the conference. It has the opportunity to return every student-athlete next season.