Jan. 4—MAYVILLE, N.D. — The No. 24-ranked University of Jamestown women’s basketball team could complete the comeback in a 77-72 loss to No. 22-ranked Mayville State University on Saturday, Jan. 4, at the Comets’ Lewy Lee Fieldhouse.
The Jimmies started slowly trailing by as many as 14 points in the first quarter before bringing it as close as three points on a Kate Busek three to make it 25-22 early in the second quarter. The Comets’ Alex Page responded with a jumper to push the lead out and from there the Comets were able to take a 46-32 lead into the half.
The Jimmies (12-2, 2-1) 14-point halftime deficit is the largest deficit they’ve faced at the break this season.
In the opening half, the Jimmies struggled with fouls and three-point shooting. The Jimmies had 11 fouls and the Comets went 9-for-15 from the free-throw line. Conversely, the Comets had nine fouls and the Jimmies went 7-for-9 from the stripe. The Jimmies shot 3-for-16 from three and the Comets shot 5-for-13 from distance in the opening two quarters.
The Comets (12-4, 2-2) were able to stretch their lead out to 23 points midway through the third quarter and took a 16 point lead into the fourth quarter.
With just under six minutes to go in the game, the Jimmies’ Jayden Wiest was fouled and split the pair and then Jailyn Martinson hit both to bring it closer at 68-53. Those three free throws sparked the Jimmies to bring it as close as two points with 11 seconds to go and the score sitting at 74-72. However, the Comets were able to wilt the game away at the free-throw line to get the win.
Over the last six minutes of the game, the Jimmies shot 6-for-16 from the field. Over that same stretch, the Comets shot 0-for-4 from the field. However, the Comets finished the game shooting 9-for-14 from the free throw line.
The Jimmies are back in action at 5:30 p.m. on Friday, Jan. 10, when they host Bellevue University.
UJ 72, MSU 77
UJ: 19 13 18 22 — 72
MSU: 25 21 20 11 — 77
Points leaders:
UJ: Kate Cordes 17, Hannah Hagel 13, Kate Busek 11
MSU: Alex Page 22, Mackenzie Hugghes 17, Jes Mertens 13
Assists leaders:
UJ: Cordes 2, Busek 2, Hagel 2, Jessika Lofstrom 2, Hali Savela 2, Jailyn Martinson 1, Jayden Wiest 1, Samantha Paulsen 1
MSU: Mertens 5, Hughes 3, Stark 2, Taylor Hill 2, Annika Reierson 1
Leading rebounders:
UJ: Busek 9, Oswald 8, Hagel 7
MSU: Mertens 15, Page 12, Reierson 5
