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SIOUX FALLS, S.D. -- Individually, the IUPUI women's basketball team achieved history, as Jernisha Cann and Julia Whitted both hit milestones.  Collectively, however, the Jaguars were not able to pick up their first win against a nationally ranked opponent, falling to #14/17 South Dakota State, 68-53, in the semifinals of The Summit League Championships.

IUPUI (16-15) shot just 33.3-percent in the game, fading in the second half to hit just eight field goals.  However, Cann stood out for the Jaguars, scoring a game-high 19 points to go along with 10 rebounds.  The double-double was the 20th of the season for Cann and 52nd of her career, tying her for 30th on the NCAA career list.

Still, it was her sixth rebound of the game at the 16:52 mark of the second half that set Cann apart, for it made her The Summit League's all-time leading rebounder.  The senior capped her illustrious career with 1,172 boards and 1,489 points.  Cann's name is atop the IUPUI career rebounding and steals list, while she is third all-time in scoring.

In the post-game press conference, Cann said: "“It means a lot. Once I found out, I was waiting to get more rebounds, I was a little disappointed that I didn’t set it last game. It does means a lot."

Her talents were on display throughout the game, as she matched up with Summit League Player of the Year Jennifer Warkenthien.  With The Summit League's top two players matching up, it was the conference's Sixth Woman of the Year, Jill Young, who carried South Dakota State (30-2) in the first half.

With the Jaguars controlling the pace of the game with stifling defense, it was Young who broke open a close game with three three-pointers in the first half.  After Cann nailed a turnaround jumper to put IUPUI up, 11-9, Young responded with a three to give SDSU the lead for good.

Still, IUPUI kept battling, closing within five points on a Kiara Butler three, making it a 26-21 game with 4:39 remaining in the opening half.  Looking to close within a possession, a jumper by Nicole James caromed off the rim, where Brittany Ransom came over the back of Young.  Frustrated the foul call, Ransom, slammed the ball, resulting in a technical foul.

Young made 2-of-the-4 resulting free throws, and after another defensive stand, drained a three from the wing to push the Jackrabbit lead to 10. 

Undaunted, the Jaguars rallied again, getting a three-pointer from Janna Eichelberger in the closing seconds of the half.  However, Young responded with her third three of the half, catching the bottom of the net as the horn sounded on the half.

"I thought we did good job in the second half, but didn’t do so well in the first half," Hart said.  "We just didn’t shoot the basketball well, they shot it well. We missed 28 layups. When you miss 28 layups against a team that is 14th in the nation, I don’t see you being very successful.”"

Down 38-26 at halftime, the Jaguars continued to fight, holding South Dakota State without a field goal for the final 8:37 of the game.  Unfortunately, the Jackrabbits outrebounded the tired Jags, 12-3, over the final seven minutes to hold their lead.

The Jaguars were able to cut a 20-point deficit to 12 with 4:18 showing on the clock, but could not get closer, as SDSU went 7-for-10 from the free throw line over the final four minutes. 

In a physical game with 46 combined fouls, the Jackrabbits went 27-for-36 from the free-throw line, while IUPUI was 15-for-23.  The 59 combined free-throw attempts set a tournament record.  

While Whitted finished with just 6 points on 3-for-10 shooting, she became the 19th player in IUPUI women's basketball history to reach 1,000 career points with her bucket 2:48 into the game.

James added 11 points for the Jaguars, converting three three-point plays during the contest.  Young led the Jackrabbits with 17 points, while Warkenthien finished with 16 points and a game-high 12 rebounds.

South Dakota State advances to their first Summit League Tournament championship game, and is virtually assured of an at-large bid to the NCAA Tournament.

"I think they're in, regardless of what happens tomorrow," Hart said.  "Hopefully, they'll get a higher seed and win a couple of games and raise the profile for the entire league."

IUPUI wraps up the season at 16-15, their second consecutive year at .500 or better and third such season in the last four years.  Cann will wait to hear if her name is called during the WNBA Draft, which will take place on April 9.