NORMAL —With South Dakota State popping in 3-pointers from every angle Thursday at Redbird Arena, the Illinois State women’s basketball team eventually arrived at the most effective remedy:

Simply remove the ball from the Jackrabbits’ hands.

ISU forced 25 SDSU turnovers and pulled away over the final four minutes to claim a 79-67 nonconference victory before a crowd of 1,781.

“We came out really focused on our defense and rebounding,” Redbird senior Maggie Krick said. “We had a very specific game plan. Our main goal was to focus on that game plan and execute it.”

The Redbirds improved to 2-1 by besting a team that finished 32-3 last season and is receiving votes in the Associated Press top 25.

“This was a huge win,” ISU coach Robin Pingeton said. “To play this caliber of basketball team, it’s going to come down to who has the least amount of breakdowns. I feel like we did a tremendous job of being assignment correct.”

The Jackrabbits (1-2) nailed 7 of 12 first-half 3-point tries, but trailed 37-32 under the weight of 15 turnovers.

“We really gave away quite a few possessions,” said SDSU coach Aaron Johnston. “Illinois State played good defense, and we had poor execution at the offensive end.”

ISU held a 62-59 edge when Ashleen Bracey hit two free throws and followed with a baseline jumper to extend the lead to seven.

“We moved the ball really well,” Bracey said. “They got in our jerseys and we attacked. It was pretty much whoever was open, and I happened to be the open man on a lot of drives.”

Bracey was 9 of 15 from the field, matched a career high with 24 points and led the Redbirds with seven rebounds.

“I think this is the most focused I’ve ever seen Ashleen in her time at Illinois State,” said Pingeton. “I really liked her approach to the game. I thought she was confident, played strong and had a lot of energy. She stepped up big for us.”

ISU connected on 13 of 16 free throws over the final 3:02 to seal the win.

Krick added 19 points and Hannah Spanich chipped in 15 off the bench. Shala Jackson contributed nine points, five rebounds and four steals.

“Illinois State, in most phases, outplayed us,” Johnston said. “We’re playing really average basketball against good teams. That’s not a good formula. I don’t remember shooting 51 percent and losing by 12 too often.”

SDSU finished 11 of 23 from beyond the arc and received 19 points from Maria Boever and 15 from Kristin Rotert.

“We’re not valuing the ball,” said Rotert. “We’re way too sloppy right now.”