BROOKINGS – In their toughest test so far in the Women’s NIT, the South Dakota State Jackrabbits came through and earned themselves one more home game.
Haleigh Timmer hit a go-ahead jumper with 38.5 seconds left Thursday and SDSU held on to defeat UCLA in a WNIT semifinal 62-59 at Frost Arena.
Timmer broke a 58-58 tie with a jumper from the left baseline. UCLA’s Iimar’i Thomas was fouled just 11 seconds later, but made only one of two free throws. Seven seconds after that, Tori Nelson made two free throws for the Jackrabbits (28-9).
UCLA had a chance for a tying three-pointer, but Charisma Osborne missed it as the final buzzer sounded.
Myah Selland paced South Dakota State with 24 points and nine rebounds. Timmer scored 15 points.
SDSU won despite making only 1-of-8 three-pointers and turning the ball over 20 times.
The Jackrabbits, who have won 20 of their last 21 games and 25 of their last 27, will again play at Frost Arena Saturday for the WNIT championship against Seton Hall at 2:00 PM. Seton Hall edged Middle Tennessee Thursday in the other semifinal, 74-73 in Murfreesboro, Tennessee. SDSU has hosted every game it has played in this tournament.
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