Dec. 30, 2006

BROOKINGS, S.D. -

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BROOKINGS, S.D. - The no. 20/22 Marquette women's basketball team will play its final game of the 2006 calendar year when it travels to South Dakota State on Sunday, Dec. 31, at 1 p.m., at the Frost Arena. It will be the final non-conference game for the Golden Eagles as they reconvene BIG EAST play Wednesday, Jan. 3, against Syracuse.

The Golden Eagles (12-1, 1-0 BIG EAST), who have complied their best start in school history with a 12-1 record and 11 consecutive wins, is coming off a 67-40 win over Navy last Friday behind a balanced scoring effort. Sophomore Krystal Ellis led all scorers with 14 points, and senior Jasmine McCullough added 10 points. Senior Christina Quaye was dominant on the glass against the Midshipmen matching a career high 12 rebounds.

Sunday's game marks the second meeting between Marquette and South Dakota State. The Golden Eagles won the lone previous meeting, 67-55, on Dec. 21, 2005, at the Al McGuire Center. Quaye led Marquette with 20 points, and fellow seniors McCullough and Danielle Kamm each added 17 and 11 points, respectively.

SDSU is 0-2 against BIG EAST teams all-time. Along with the loss at Marquette, the Jackrabbits dropped a 68-50 decision to Rutgers during the 2004-05 season.

However, it won't be an easy task for the Golden Eagles as the Jackrabbits have won their last 15 home games dating back to last season. South Dakota State, in its third season of its transition to Division I, is 1-1 against ranked teams this season. SDSU defeated no. 19/20 Southern California, 67-63, at Frost Arena on Nov. 17.

The Jackrabbits are coming off 65-54 win at Alabama on Dec. 28, and have won six of their last seven games this season. SDSU's only losses were against then no. 17 Baylor, 71-53 at the Junkanoo Jam, at Arkansas State, 67-52, and at Missouri, 79-62.

Megan Vogel, the Jackrabbits top returner, continues to lead SDSU with 17.2 points per game and 6.0 rebounds per game. She is the lone Jack to average double figures. The first team all-independent selection in 2005-06 scored 24 points and grabbed nine rebounds against Alabama.