JAMESTOWN, N.D. (JimmieAthletics.com) – An 9-0 run to end the first half proved to be the key turning point as the Jimmie men’s basketball team defeated No. 22 Mayville State (N.D.) 69-62 Saturday evening at Harold Newman Arena.

Jamestown’s win, in conjunction with Dickinson State (N.D.)’s loss at Valley City State (N.D.) and Bellevue (Neb.)’s win against Waldorf (Iowa), creates a three-way tie for the top spot in the North Star Athletic Association conference standings. The Jimmies, Blue Hawks, and Bruins are all 8-5, while the Comets remain a half-game back at 7-5.

Although there were three ties in the opening half, the Jimmies never trailed. After Garek Droog scored to cut Jamestown’s lead to 32-30 with 4:14 left, the Jimmies scored the final nine points of the half to lead by 11 at the break.

Mayville State tralied by as many as 15 with 13:25 in the second half, but continued to hang around. Droog brought the Comets within four points at the 2:03 mark, 66-62, but the Jimmie defense kept MSU off the board for the remainder of the game.

Leighton Sampson (SR/Worthington, Minn.) led Jamestown (19-7, 8-5 NSAA) with 21 points and 4 blocked shots. Carter Keller (SO/Sioux Falls, S.D.) came off the bench to add 15 points. Kevin Oberweiser(JR/Drummond, Mont.) had a double-double with 13 points and 10 rebounds, narrowly missing a triple-double with 9 assists. Jon Purintun(JR/Linton, N.D.) ended with 12 points, seven boards, and five assists.

Droog and Gorg Alhag each had 12 points for the Comets (14-7, 7-5 NSAA). Droog pulled down six rebounds, and Cameron Epps chipped in with 7 points and 5 assists.

Jamestown outshot the Comets 42.9 percent to 35.4 percent. Rebounds were 44-36 in favor of the Jimmies, and turnovers were nearly even, with MSU committing 12 and UJ 10.

Both teams are at home on Friday as the Jimmies host Bellevue (Neb.), while the Comets square off against Dakota State (S.D.).