SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (Interstat) — A dominant second-quarter surge propelled the South Dakota State women’s basketball team to a 72-63 victory over Gonzaga on Thursday night, keeping the Jackrabbits’ perfect record intact in front of 2,136 fans.

The game was a tight contest through the first quarter, ending in a 17-17 tie. The complexion of the matchup changed entirely in the second period, where South Dakota State outscored Gonzaga 27-14. That 13-point swing proved insurmountable for the visiting Bulldogs, who could not mount a full comeback despite winning the third quarter.

South Dakota State improved to 5-0 with the win, while Gonzaga fell to 2-3.

The Jackrabbits’ offense was fueled by a balanced scoring attack. Madison Mathiowetz, a guard from Sleepy Eye, Minnesota, led the way with 17 points, including several key three-pointers. She was closely followed by Katie Vasecka of Tea, South Dakota, who added 16 points. Hadley Thul contributed 10 points and a team-high three assists, while Emilee Fox directed the offense with six assists.

For Gonzaga, guard Allie Turner of St. Louis was the primary offensive weapon, scoring a game-high 19 points in 32 minutes of action. Lauren Whittaker, a 6-foot-3 forward from Christchurch, New Zealand, added 15 points for the Bulldogs. Gonzaga’s efforts were hampered by turnovers and an inability to consistently contain South Dakota State’s perimeter shooting during the decisive second-quarter run.

The Bulldogs chipped away at the deficit after halftime, but every time they threatened, the Jackrabbits had an answer, maintaining a comfortable lead throughout the second half. Gonzaga’s late push in the fourth quarter was not enough to close the gap significantly.

Gonzaga will look to rebound on the road this season when they host Eastern Washington on Sunday. South Dakota State, riding a wave of early-season momentum, heads to a tournament in Cancún, Mexico, where they will face North Carolina on Thursday.