SDSU Women's Basketball Wins 13th Summit League Title

Jackrabbits clinch 14th NCAA Tournament berth with victory over NDSU

Published on Mar. 9, 2026

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The South Dakota State University women's basketball team won their 13th Summit League Tournament title on Sunday, clinching their 14th NCAA Tournament berth in the 18 times the event has been held in Sioux Falls. The Jackrabbits defeated regular-season champion North Dakota State in the championship game, with senior Brooklyn Meyer getting the better of conference Player of the Year Avery Koenen. SDSU's stifling defense held the Bison to just 51 points, 29 below their season average.

Why it matters

SDSU's women's basketball program has been a consistent powerhouse in the Summit League, winning 13 of the 18 conference tournament titles. This latest championship secures their spot in the upcoming NCAA Tournament, where they will look to make a deep run and potentially win their first-ever national title.

The details

The Jackrabbits' victory over NDSU marked the rubber match of their season series, with SDSU taking Round 3. Senior Brooklyn Meyer outdueled conference Player of the Year Avery Koenen, and the Jackrabbits' defense held the high-powered Bison offense to just 51 points, well below their season average of 80 points per game.

  • The Summit League Tournament championship game was played on Sunday, March 9, 2026.
  • SDSU has now won 13 Summit League Tournament titles in the 18 times the event has been held in Sioux Falls.

The players

South Dakota State University

The women's basketball team at South Dakota State University, a consistent powerhouse in the Summit League with 13 conference tournament titles.

Brooklyn Meyer

A senior on the SDSU women's basketball team who outperformed conference Player of the Year Avery Koenen in the championship game.

Avery Koenen

The conference Player of the Year for North Dakota State, whose team fell to SDSU in the Summit League Tournament championship game.

Aaron Johnston

The 26th-year head coach of the SDSU women's basketball team, who became emotional during the postgame press conference.

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What they’re saying

“The postgame press conference clip of 26th year head coach, Aaron Johnston, might drop your jaw, considering his stoic nature. What question made his tears flow?”

— John Gaskins, Jackrabbit Lounge Host (siouxfallslive.com)

What’s next

SDSU will now await their seeding and opponent for the upcoming NCAA Tournament, where they will look to make a deep run and potentially win their first-ever national title.

The takeaway

SDSU's women's basketball program has established itself as a consistent powerhouse in the Summit League, winning 13 conference tournament titles in 18 years. Their latest championship secures their spot in the NCAA Tournament, where they will look to make a deep run and potentially win their first national title.