Brooklyn Meyer delivered a standout performance, scoring 26 points to lead the South Dakota State University (SDSU) Jackrabbits to a 75-61 victory over the Kansas City Roos in the quarterfinals of the Summit League women’s basketball tournament on March 7, 2024. The match took place at the Premier Center, marking a significant step forward for SDSU in their pursuit of a third consecutive league title.
The Roos attempted to devise a strategy to contain Meyer, a 6-foot-2 senior center, by allowing her to score while focusing on limiting her teammates’ contributions. Despite these efforts, Meyer showcased her prowess, enabling the Jackrabbits to shoot an impressive 50% from the field. Kansas City head coach Dionnah Jackson-Durrett acknowledged the challenge, stating, “Brooklyn is Brooklyn. She’s going to get her points. You’ve got to control everybody else.”
Historic Milestone for Meyer
In addition to her scoring feat, Meyer achieved a historic milestone by becoming the third player in SDSU history to reach 2,000 career points, joining former greats Macy Miller and Myah Selland. Meyer now has a total of 2,018 points, surpassing the previous single-season scoring record with 688 points, breaking the mark set by Melissa Pater during the 2002-03 season.
SDSU head coach Aaron Johnston praised his team’s overall performance, highlighting the contributions of senior guard Madison Mathiowetz, who added 18 points, six rebounds, and four assists. “Maddie and Brooklyn played great for us,” Johnston noted. “They are great leaders, and I’m glad we got the job done today.”
Meyer has been a formidable presence throughout the season, scoring 20 or more points in 18 games this season and averaging 22.6 points in 17 conference games. This impressive consistency has been crucial to SDSU’s success, particularly as they seek to reclaim their championship title.
Supporting Cast Steps Up
The Jackrabbits also benefited from contributions by newer players. Third-year sophomore Hilary Behrens and true freshman Hadley Thul made their first starts in the Summit League tournament, each scoring nine points. Freshman center Brooklynn Felchle, redshirt freshman Mahli Abdouch, and transfer Maggie Hartwig also saw their first tournament action, showcasing the depth of the SDSU roster.
Mathiowetz emphasized the importance of gaining experience in the tournament environment. “You realize there’s going to be a lot of outside noise, but learning to drown that out and just play is really big in this tournament,” she explained. “This first game will help us make sure we get our feet under us and work in the right direction.”
SDSU has now improved its all-time record in the Summit League tournament to 42-5 and has won three consecutive championships. With a new group striving to add to that legacy, Johnston highlighted the players’ role in maintaining the program’s success. “You want to see them chase their dreams, and that’s kind of what we’re here for,” he said.
The Jackrabbits will continue their pursuit of the championship as they advance further in the tournament, fueled by Meyer’s historic performance and a strong team dynamic.
