SIOUX FALLS, S.D. – The Omaha women's basketball team became the first No. 8 seed to upset the No. 1 seed in Summit League Women's Basketball Championship history with a 52-40 win over No. 21 South Dakota State on Saturday at the Sanford Pentagon in Sioux Falls, S.D.
The win is Omaha's first-ever over a Top 25 opponent in the Division I era as the Mavericks improved to 6-12 on the season.
Leaders for Omaha
Josie Filer posted a double-double with a game-high 19 points and 12 rebounds.
Mariah Murdie chipped in nine points, six steals, five rebounds and five blocks in the victory.
Claire Killian and
Elena Pilakouta had seven points apiece and
Sarah Schmitt added four points, six assists and five rebounds.
Leaders for South Dakota State
Tylee Irwin had 10 points and eight rebounds and Paiton Burckhard added 10 points and seven boards for the Jackrabbits.
Team Stats
Omaha shot 39.1% (18-of-46) to South Dakota State's 22.4% (13-of-58). The Mavericks recorded a 16-4 advantage points off turnovers while also outscoring the Jackrabbits in the paint, 26-12. Omaha assisted on 11 of the 18 made baskets and forced SDSU into 20 turnovers. The Jackrabbits outrebounded Omaha, 42-35.
Inside the First Quarter
The Mavericks went to work inside early as eight of the 10 first-quarter points came from inside the paint. SDSU forced the Mavericks into eight turnovers and knocked down a pair of treys to grab an 11-10 lead after the first.
Inside the Second Quarter
With the Jackrabbits leading 19-16, a pair of baskets by Murdie and Filer gave the Mavericks a 20-19 lead with 6:12 left. Murdie buried a three with 1:47 remaining and Pilakouta knocked down both free throws with 1:18 left to give the Mavericks a 29-24 lead at the half.
Inside the Third Quarter
Killian opened the second half with a three-pointer and Schmitt's layup with 7:20 left stretched the Maverick lead to 36-26. Back-to-back baskets by Murdie and Pilakouta gave Omaha a 40-28 lead before the Jackrabbits closed the quarter on a 5-0 run to get within 40-33.
Inside the Fourth Quarter
The Maverick defense shut down the Jackrabbits, not allowing South Dakota State to get within seven points of the Omaha lead in the final 10 minutes. Omaha stifled SDSU on the defensive end while forcing the Jackrabbits into six turnovers and 3-of-18 shooting from the floor in the fourth quarter.
What's Next
With the win, the Mavericks move on to the Summit League Semifinal play on Monday, March 8 at 11:45 at the Sanford Pentagon in Sioux Falls, S.D. Omaha will take on the winner of tomorrow's quarterfinal matchup between No. 4 Kansas City and No. 5 Western Illinois.
