Hannah DeMars (SO/Grand Rapids, MN)’ three-pointer with 55 seconds left capped a 14-6 run as the University of Jamestown women’s basketball team rallied for a 64-61 win over Dakota Wesleyan (S.D.) University Saturday afternoon at Harold Newman Arena.
Jamestown trailed 55-50 with 9:34 remaining, but five straight points from Kia Tower (SO/Bigfork, MN) and a three-pointer by Macy Savela (SO/Mountain Iron, MN) gave the Jimmies a 58-55 advantage at the 6:55 mark.
Savela knocked down another three with 5:15 to play as Jamestown went ahead 61-57. The Tigers answered with baskets by Jada Campbell and Kaylee Kirk to tie the game at 61 with 3:29 left in the game.
UJ would hold DWU scoreless for the remainder of the game as the defense made DeMars’ go-ahead three hold up. The Tigers made just one of their final eight shots down the stretch.
The Jimmies shot 60 percent in the first quarter to take a 22-13 lead after the first ten minutes, and would eventually lead by 13 with 5:39 left in the half. The Tigers used an 11-for-14 performance at the free throw line while shooting 50 percent from the field to cut the lead to 38-37 at the break. DWU closed the half on a 19-7 run and held UJ without a basket for 3:19 to get back in the game.
A 16-10 scoring edge in the third quarter gave the Tigers a five-point lead heading into the the final quarter. UJ made just four shots in the period and turned the ball over seven times while DWU connected on four of its six three-point attempts.
Noelle Josephson (JR/Ramsey, MN) led Jamestown (5-3, 3-3 GPAC) with 14 points. Tower ended with 13 points and four steals, while Savela came off the bench to score 12. DeMars chipped in with nine points, nine rebounds, and five assists. Audrey Rodakowski (FR/Dickinson, ND) had nine points to go along with four assists.
Haidyn Pitsch scored a game-high 18 for DWU (3-3, 1-3 GPAC). Campbell added 15 points and nine rebounds.
The Jimmies are back in action Tuesday night when they host Briar Cliff (Iowa) University at 6 p.m.
