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N.D. (JimmieAthletics.com) – Friday’s NSAA semifinal matchup with Mayville State did not start off as smoothly as the Jimmie women would have liked. However, the stingy Jamestown defense bailed out an uncharacteristic UJ shooting performance, holding off the Comets 69-54 at the Jamestown Civic Center. 

The win means Jamestown (24-5) will host the Valley City State (N.D.) University Vikings Sunday at 2 p.m. in the NSAA championship game. The VIkings were 71-67 winners at Dickinson State (N.D.) Friday, setting up the championship tilt with the Jimmies. 

Mayville State led 16-12 after Andi Gayner connected on a three-pointer with 50 seconds left in the first quarter. Jory Mullen answered with a three of her own with 19 seconds to play to get Jamestown within one heading to the second.

Kyra Dewald (SR/Jamestown, ND)’s basket finished off a 9-0 run with 7:15 in the half to give Jamestown a 21-16 lead. The Comets pulled within three after a bucket by Naomi Torgerson made it 27-24, but UJ closed the half on a 7-1 run to lead by nine at the break.

The Comets trailed by as little as 12 and as many as 18 in the third quarter as UJ capitalized on eight Mayville State turnovers in the quarter. 

After MSU got within 12 at 50-38, Jamestown went on a 9-0 run during the next 2:57, and a three by Alexis Watts (SR/Miller, SD) gave the Jimmies their biggest lead of the night, a 21-point margin.

Jamestown shot just 34.3 percent on 70 attempts, but did make 40 percent (12-of-30) on shots beyond the arc. Mayville State finished a respectable 17 for 40, good for 42.5 percent. The game featured a combined 47 fouls and 49 turnovers, as both teams were not able to get into a steady rhythm.

McKayla Orr (JR/Ypsilanti, ND)’s 14 points led a balanced offensive attack for UJ. Allison Jablonsky (FR/Blaine, MN) was the other Jimmie to hit for double figures, finishing with 10, but five Jamestown players scored at least six. Taylor Hammer (SR/Grand Forks, ND) grabbed a team-best 10 rebounds while Bryn Woodside (JR/Albert Lea, MN) had nine assists to go along with six steals.

Gayner had 21 for the Comets (17-12) to lead all scorers. Naomi Torgerson finished with 10 and joined Gayner with three steals each. Karleigh Weber led Mayville State with nine rebounds and four assists.