Jackrabbit 3-pointers Trump McFarland's 1,000 Points
BROOKINGS, S.D. - University of Colorado junior Jackie McFarland reached 1,000 career points but a barrage of 3-point field goals by South Dakota State University lifted the Jackrabbits to an 80-58 decision over the Buffaloes Wednesday night at Frost Arena.
Colorado (5-6) dropped its fourth straight while SDSU improved to 8-2.
McFarland became the 20th Colorado player to reach 1,000 points doing so at the 12 minute, 19 second mark of the second half on a lay up. She was fouled by SDSU's Laura Nielsen on the play and sank the free throw for the conventional 3-point play. McFarland ended with 17 points, giving her 1,002 in 68 career games, and nine rebounds.
It was the other type of 3-point play though, that gave the Jackrabbits the edge. SDSU made nine of its first 11 shots from long range and finished 11-of- 19 (.579) from beyond the arc. Sophomore Ashlea Muckenhirn, who entered the contest averaging just 5.3 points per game, had a career night hitting all four 3-point attempts and tying a career high with 18 points.
South Dakota State came out firing, hitting its first four 3-point field goals of the contest and 5-of-7 attempts overall to take a 16-12 lead at the 15:22 mark.
A Megan Vogel free throw gave the Jacks a 17-12 lead, but CU senior Jasmina Ilic answered with a 3-pointer, her second of four on the evening to cut the Jacks' lead to 17-15 with 14:46 remaining. Ilic, who finished with a game-high 20 points to go a long with six rebounds, moved into sixth place on CU's all- time 3-point list with 112.
Ilic's surge up the 3-point list was the last good news Colorado had for a while. The Buffaloes went scoreless over the next 8:27 as the Jacks ran off nine straight points for a 26-15 lead. South Dakota State built its lead from the free-throw line. The Jacks outscored the Buffs 15-5 from the charity stripe and led by as much as 20 before taking a 46-27 lead at halftime.
Muckenhirn single-handedly made sure there was no Buffs' comeback. She scored seven of SDSU's first 11 points of the second half as the Jacks opened up a 58- 30 lead in the first four minutes of the period. Vogel ended with 11 points and six rebounds while Jennifer Warkenthien added 12 points and nine rebounds.
Senior Anna Nedovic had seven points and five rebounds off the bench.
Colorado will take its annual break for finals and the holiday season and will return to action on Thursday, Dec. 28, by hosting Cal State University Bakersfield at 7 p.m. at the Coors Events/Conference Center.