By JARED PURCELL

Sports Editor

Composure and the talents of April Kidd became the key weapons for the Oakland University women’s basketball team against nationally ranked South Dakota State on Monday night. 

After seeing an 18-point halftime lead narrowed to just two points with 6:28 left to go, Oakland rallied on a 16-0 run to win 67-51. 

Kidd collected her first double-double of the season with 14 points and a season high 11 rebounds. Ten of Kidd’s points came in the second half, along with her five rebounds. 

“I think we treated this game like it was a championship game,” said Kidd. “This is a really big game for us. We just have to remember to bring it all year.” 

South Dakota — ranked #21 in the ESPN/USA Today Coaches’ poll and #24 in the Associated Press poll — hit four three-pointers in 1:53 in the middle of the second half to bring the score difference to two points with SDSU senior Stacie Oistad making three of them. OU head coach Beckie Francis credited her team’s composure to stay competitive and adjust. 

“They’re a really good team,” said Francis. “We worked really hard on transition and guarding three’s because we know that’s what they do. They just had a really wild flurry there for a moment … but that’s who they are. We just kept our composure and we just weathered the storm. They’re a great team, they have every right to make a run at us.” 

Along with Kidd’s efforts, Senior Jessica Pike was back to her old self by leading the team in scoring with 17. Junior guard Melissa Jeltema and sophomore Anna Patritto also reached double figures with 12 and 10 points respectively. Sophomore center Brittany Carnago had four of her team-leading five blocks in the first half while also leading the team in assists (4) and steals (6). 

Even though SDSU head coach Aaron Johnston believes that his team didn’t play to the extent they are capable of, he wasn’t surprised with the outcome of the game. 

“I think the outcome of the game is probably exactly what should have happened,” Johnston said. “I just think they really outplayed us in most of the categories that are important to both teams.” 

One category that Oakland managed to compete with SDSU was depth on the bench. Oakland won the battle of bench scoring narrowly, 16-15. 

“I’m really proud of our bench,” said Kidd. “I love our team. We’re so deep and our under classmen are so mature. That really helps.” 

Even though there was buzz surrounding the game about Summit League championship implications, Francis prepared the team by having them ignore anything outside of the team’s game plan. 

“I think it was obvious that everybody in the league was probably watching this game,” Francis said. “But the way we approached it from a psychology standpoint is we don’t worry who we’re playing. We focus in practice on what we need to correct … and we just focus on our stuff and I think that reduces the pressure and hoop-la on who we’re playing.”