Despite being behind by just three points heading into the second quarter, the St. Thomas women’s basketball team was unable to keep up the offensive momentum, falling 83-42 to No. 1 South Dakota State University in the Tommies’ final home game of the season Saturday at Schoenecker Arena.
The Tommies (6-20, 3-13 Summit League) recognized graduate student forwards Erin Norling and Kaia Porter on senior day. Porter spent five seasons with the Tommies and coach Ruth Sinn, whereas Norling transferred to St. Thomas from Wayne State College for her final year of athletic eligibility.
“They’re the type of people that we needed for this first year to really lay the foundation that this is more than just basketball, but it’s how we live this journey together,” Sinn said of her seniors.
Two consecutive 3-point baskets by Norling and Porter tied the score 18-18 early in the second quarter. However, South Dakota State (19-8, 15-1) responded quickly as junior forward Myah Selland made a 3-point basket of her own.
Selland ended the game with 24 points, leading all scorers, accompanied by Jackrabbit sophomore forward Tori Nelson’s 17 points and six rebounds.
“They have so many different weapons, so many ways they can attack you,” Sinn said.
The Jackrabbits scored in a multitude of manners during the game, going 10-for-21 on 3-point baskets and shooting 50% from the field. The Jackrabbits had seven players with five or more points in the game.
“Normally, most teams you play, you’ve got someone that you can help a bit more off of, but they don’t have that,” Norling said. “Whatever you give them, they’re going to counter and that’s what makes them good.”
Norling scored seven for the Tommies and contributed six rebounds. First-year guard Jade Hill led the team with 11 points.
The Tommies trailed by 15 points at halftime, with a score of 37-22, and the Jackrabbits continued to extend their lead in the third quarter.
The Jackrabbits had a clear line to victory entering the fourth quarter but continued to shoot relentlessly into the fourth quarter, adding 25 points to the board compared to the Tommies’ eight. Selland had 10 in the final quarter.
Regardless of putting a mark in the win column, Porter is proud of her time at St. Thomas and competing at the Division I level.
“Being the first group that gets to do this, we’ll look back in 50 years when St. Thomas women’s basketball is absolutely dominating, and we’ll say ‘we got to be the first group that made that jump and set up the culture,’” Porter said. “We’re the… foundation.”
The Tommies have two games left before the season ends, one coming at 8 p.m. on Thursday, Feb. 24 against Denver University in Denver, Colorado.
“I just love these girls, so I don’t want to think about after; I just want to think about right now. I’ve got one more week to enjoy that,” Norling said.
Cam Kauffman can be reached at kauf8536@stthomas.edu.
Angelica Franaschouk can be reached at fran8528@stthomas.edu.