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N.E. (NewsDakota.com)- Day 1 of the Cattle Classic on the campus of Concordia University (NE) went for a split to the U of Jamestown Jimmie basketball teams. The men’s team came up short in a 89-86 loss to No. 13 Oklahoma Wesleyan. Following that hard fought battle the Jimmie women took care of No. 5 Concordia 77-74.

The men’s game was a back and forth affair that turned on a pair of three pointers from Steven Cooks who knocked down consecutive triples to turn a 1-point deficit into a five-point lead.

The Eagles were able to hold on while making their free throws down the stretch. Mark Hoge kept the pressure on with three made baskets in the final minutes to run his total to 28.

“We need to get tougher on the offensive end,” said Head Coach Justin Wieck. “You’ve gotta do your job every time, not 9/10 times. Those add up.”

The women’s game was almost three completely different games mashed into one game. Early the Jimmies didn’t handle the Bulldog press well but despite that kept the game close.

The final few minutes of the first half and the beginning of the second, the Jimmies handled the press and ran their lead to 16. Jamestown was getting easy buckets thanks the guard play that broke the pressure.

But the Bulldogs refused to go away as they pulled within three thanks to a five minute field goal drought at the end of the game. Hannah Steele, who finished with 19, fouled out with just over 2:30 to go.

Concordia had the ball late with 20 seconds left to try to tie but Tracy Pietz couldn’t get her shot to fall. Jordan Bridges also put in 19 for the Jimmies including two triples.

The two teams will play again tomorrow beginning at noon. The women against Doane and the men against Culver-Stockton. Both games on 1400/97.1 KQDJ & NewsDakota.com.