SIOUX FALLS, S.D. — Facing the two-time defending champions in a hostile road environment, the Oakland University women’s basketball team knew the odds were stacked against it in the conference title game.

The Golden Grizzlies’ late-game charge against South Dakota State came to an abrupt halt when they failed to secure much-needed defensive stops down the stretch, as Oakland fell 61-54 in the Summit League Tournament finals Tuesday.

The Jackrabbits held their largest lead with 3:43 remaining in the game, but quickly saw it deteriorate. Three consecutive 3-pointers brought Oakland back within four points with 2:06 to play, but the Grizzlies failed to make another basket and lost momentum when a crucial out-of-bounds call went against them.

“We didn’t get the (defensive) stop and then we had a turnover and you can’t make mistakes like that,” head coach Beckie Francis said. “I felt like we didn’t have enough energy left. I felt like we just didn’t have that one last stop in us.”

Unlike in the team’s semifinals win over Oral Roberts, the bounces failed to go Oakland’s way against the Jackrabbits, who improved to 9-0 all-time in Summit League Tournament play.

“I warned them because it almost felt like the perfect game (against Oral Roberts), and we were really trying to prepare them that it was going to be a totally different game,” Francis said. “I don’t want to be pessimistic, but we just (couldn’t expect) to match that.”

With SDSU leading 33-29 at halftime, the Grizzlies shot under 35.7 percent in the second half and frequently went cold for two- to three-minute stretches.

A critical juncture of the game came with 11:28 remaining in the second half. A 3-pointer by Bethany Watterworth and subsequent defensive stop afforded Oakland an opportunity to recapture the lead after trailing for 20 minutes.

Coming out of a timeout down 42-41, however, OU turned the ball over and set in motion an 8-0 Jackrabbits run.

“We were making runs, and I could tell they were still frustrated even when we were doing well,” Francis said. “It’s really hard to beat a returning champion that has confidence. I think they draw (momentum) from the crowd.”

The Grizzlies were led offensively by sophomore Bethany Watterworth (17 points) and junior Sharise Calhoun (12 points). The two were each named to the All-Tournament team for their efforts in helping the Grizzlies reach the conference title game.

“I was proud of the effort,” Watterworth said. “When they made runs, we responded and the game never got away from us. We just unfortunately came up short. It was exciting to be able to get back in (the game) so quickly, but then there was a stop we had to have and we fell short … We’re very disappointed.”

Jackrabbits’ senior Kristin Rotert was named the tournament Most Valuable Player after scoring 17 points and draining three timely 3-pointers to help SDSU top the Grizzlies.

The loss puts OU’s record at 2-5 all-time in Summit League finals. Oakland was seeking its first trip to the NCAA Tournament since 2006.

The Grizzlies, who finished with a 20-12 record, can take solace in the fact that nearly the entire team remains intact for another run at a championship next year. The core of OU’s team will return next season having gained the experience that perhaps it lacked during its spirited run as the No. 4 seed this season.

“That’s one thing that I did remind the team (after the game) is that we have our whole starting lineup back. To have our top seven and a new recruiting class, I’m excited for next year,” Francis said.

Calhoun said that with all the adversity the team faced due to persistent injury problems and several devastatingly close losses this season, the team’s tournament performance will serve as an invaluable learning experience moving forward.

“I’m really happy to know that we got to experience this year because it puts a lot of fire in us to come back next year with the same motivation and hunger to return to this championship game and win it,” Calhoun said.

“It has been an emotional roller coaster. You come in and you know you have three games, and you have to take them one at a time. I was just really proud of all my teammates and we took each day and gave (as good of) an effort as you could ask for.”

* * *

Follow @DanFenner on Twitter for updates and analysis throughout the tournament March 5-8.

Photos by Dave Eggen and Dick Carlson / Inertia