No. 2. South Dakota State took down No. 7 Kansas City Thursday at the 2026 Summit League Women’s Basketball Championships in Sioux Falls, 75-61. The win moves SDSU to 42-5 in Summit League Tournament history.
No. took down No. in the quarterfinal round of the 2026 Summit League Women’s Basketball Championships at the Denny Sanford Premier Center in Sioux Falls,
The Jackrabbits outscored the Roos 17-5 in the first quarter behind five points apiece from Madison Mathiowetz and Emilee Fox. Kansas City shot just 12.5% in the first quarter. With momentum still in SDSU’s favor after a 10-6 run, Mahli Abdouch netted a triple to extend the Jackrabbit lead to 19 points. Kelby Bannerman scored to break the Roos’ three-minute drought, but the Jacks went into the half with a comfortable 32-15 lead. Brooklyn Meyer led SDSU in the first half with 10 points and six rebounds.
Kansas City scored 22 points in the third quarter, but still trailed by 19 going into the final frame. The Roos cut the lead to 15, prompting Coach Aaron Johnston to call a timeout. Kansas City then cut the lead to 11, leading to another Jackrabbit conference. Ultimately, Meyer and Mathiowetz led the Jackrabbits to a quarterfinal win with 26 points and 18 points, respectively. Meyer also pulled down nine rebounds and put up five blocks. Hadley Thul added four blocks for the Jackrabbits.
Meyer discussed the mindset going into the next matchup.
“We were more locked in and focused on our plan.. I feel like going into the next game, making sure we have that for all 40 minutes.”
When asked about the message in two quick timeouts in the second half, Coach Johnston spoke about Kansas City’s ability to shake things up.
“We just kind of quit playing. We didn’t have our edge… they got us a little bit flustered and frazzled… they put the hammer down and they played really well.”
South Dakota State will face either No. 3. South Dakota or No. 6 Denver in Saturday’s semifinal round in Sioux Falls.
Kansas City was led by 15 points apiece from Emani and Elauni Bennett. Elauni added nine rebounds, while Zaire Harrell tallied 11 points and nine rebounds.
Harrell, a true senior, reflected on her four years in Kansas City.
“What i’ve given to the program is what it’s given to me… this is one of the best coaches in the country, and I’ll stand on that. Any time that I’m 30, she’s my 70. When she’s 30, I’m her 70.”
Coach Dionnah Jackson Durrett spoke about Harrell’s commitment before sharing about her faith and how its guided her.
“I’m sad that it’s over for her. I’m so very proud of her, though.”
“My faith is strong. These four years have grown my faith, you know.. I think you have to be convicted in that and you can’t be shaken in those things. I know that I’m made in His image.. I don’t care how much adversity hits.. It’s important to me to have servant leadership and I want our players to know that they should feel comfortable in their faith too.”
Kansas City finishes the season 7-23 overall and 4-13 in conference play.