BROOKINGS, S.D.--Jennifer Warkenthien scored 26 points and grabbed 13 rebounds as 20th-ranked South Dakota State pulled away in the second half for a 64-48 win over North Dakota State in a Summit League women's basketball game Saturday, Jan. 24, played before 4,491 fans in Frost Arena.

North Dakota State (8-9, 6-3 Summit), which lost its seventh straight game in the series againtst SDSU, returns home next weekend to host IPFW at 2 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 31, and Oakland at 7 p.m. Monday, Feb. 2, in the Bison Sports Arena. 

South Dakota State (19-2, 8-1) opened the second half with a 10-4 run to take a 37-29 lead with 15:25 left. Warkenthien sparked the rally with a pair of driving layups, two blocked shots, a steal and a pair of rebounds.

The Bison were able to cut the deficit to six points several times, the last coming at 39-33 with 14:31 remaining on a layup from Ashley Samuelson.

While SDSU connected on only 32.1 percent from the field during the game, the Jackrabbits took advantage of offensive rebounds. Maria  Boever and Warkenthien had four offensive caroms apiece compared to four collectively for North Dakota State.

South Dakota State hit the glass and also from the foul line. Warkenthien hit 11 of 14 from the free throw line including 8 of 10 attempts in the second half. SDSU made 26 of 32 free throw attempts for 81.3 percent compared to NDSU's 13 of 14 showing for 92.9 percent.

Only four points separated the teams in the first half as North Dakota State took advantage of the inside-outside work of players like Inger Hodgson, Katie Birkel and Jerri Penley in the opening period. Penley and Birkel both scored 11 points, while Hodgson netted 10 and tied a career best with five assists.

Birkel's three-pointer with 3:47 remaining put the Bison ahead 23-21.

Boever's offensive rebound tied the game, while Warkenthien made two free throws to give the Jackrabbits a brief 25-23 lead. The Bison tied the game at 25-all on a Hodgson pass inside to Penley. Boever scored with 46 seconds left to give SDSU a 27-25 halftime lead.

The Jackrabbits improved to 14-0 against Summit League competition in Brookings and have won 30 straight regular season games in Frost Arena.