JAMESTOWN - University of Jamestown outscored Valley City State 27-6 behind the 3-point line Wednesday night as the No. 12-ranked Jimmies earned an 83-65 victory over the Vikings in North Star Athletic Association women's basketball action.
After VCSU built a 28-22 lead in the second quarter, Jamestown closed the first half with a 20-4 run – which included four 3-pointers – to take control of the game. Jamestown knocked down six 3's in the first half and nine 3's in the first three quarters.
Valley City State drops to 10-7 overall and is now 3-1 in NSAA conference play. Jamestown improves to 17-4 overall and is 3-0 in the North Star.
The first half was a game of runs. After Jamestown opened up an 11-5 lead, the Vikings scored the next seven points to take a 12-11 lead in the first quarter. The teams traded baskets for the next three minutes and ended the quarter tied at 20-20.
The Vikings opened the second quarter on an 8-2 run and opened up their biggest lead at 28-22 after Mackenzie Huber made a shot inside with 7:42 remaining. From there, it was all Jimmies to end the second quarter. Jamestown outscored the Vikings 20-4 to end the first half, including a 12-0 run over the final 3:11 to build a 42-32 halftime lead.
Jamestown shot 48 percent in the first half and made six 3-pointers – including three by Kyra Dewald. The Vikings did not shoot poorly, finishing the first half at 45 percent, but went 0-for-5 from behind the arc.
The Jimmies opened the second half on a 9-0 run, opening up a 53-34 edge. The Vikings responded with their own 9-0 run, capped by a 3 from Georgia Williams, to get back within 10 points at 53-43. But that was as close as the Vikings would get down the stretch.
VCSU finished the game 2-for-12 on 3's (17 percent). The Vikings shot 42 percent overall (25-60) and were 65 percent at the free throw line (13-20). Jamestown finished the game at 49 percent overall (31-63), 35 percent from 3-point range (9-26) and 86 percent from the free throw line (12-14).
Williams finished with 16 points to lead three Vikings in double figures. Alli Vandal scored 13 points off the bench, and Lexi Lennon had 10 points and four assists. Courtney Dixon had seven points and five rebounds, and Sara Schwanke finished with six points and seven rebounds.
Four different Jimmies scored in double figures, led by 19 points each from Kyra Dewald and Jessica Buck.
Valley City State had 13 assists, 10 steals and just 12 turnovers. The Jimmies finished with 15 assists, six steals and 14 turnovers.
Up next: Valley City State (10-7, 3-1 NSAA) hits the road again for a conference game at Presentation College on Saturday. Women tip at 4 p.m. in Aberdeen, S.D. Men tip at 6 p.m.
