TAVERNIER, Fla. - Part III of the women’s basketball saga between Northern Kentucky University and South Dakota State University was played out Saturday night in the championship game of the Holiday Isle Classic.
South Dakota State once again prevailed over the Norse, this time by a 73-58 final. It marked the third straight season that the Jackrabbits defeated NKU in a tournament.
This time, however, it wasn’t in the NCAA Division II Tournament. In the two previous meetings, South Dakota State defeated NKU in the 2002 NCAA Division II Elite Eight and in the 2003 NCAA Division II national championship game.
While NKU did not win, the youthful Norse learned a valuable lesson playing against a veteran South Dakota State squad that returned four starters from last season’s NCAA Division II national champion.
Brenda Davis scored 13 points to lead a balanced South Dakota State attack. The top-ranked Jackrabbits placed five players in double figures and held NKU to 36.7 percent shooting from the field.
An early 15-6 run enabled the Jackrabbits to grab a 20-12 lead, and South Dakota State took a 34-27 lead at the break. A 12-4 run to start the second half gave South Dakota State a 46-31 lead, and the Jackrabbits (2-0) coasted to the inaugural Holiday Isle Classic championship.
Sharell Snardon scored 25 points and grabbed 14 rebounds to keep NKU (1-1) in the game. She was also named the Holiday Isle Classic’s most valuable player after averaging 18.5 points and 12.5 rebounds in the two-game tournament.
NKU’s Connie Myers scored 12 points and also earned All-Tournament honors. Jessica Brock added nine points and five rebounds for NKU, which made just one three-pointer in 13 attempts on Saturday.
The Norse, who are ranked No. 10 nationally in the WBCA Division II poll, will play host to the University of Findlay at 7 p.m. Tuesday night in Regents Hall in the home opener.
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Sharell Snardon |