Photo: Jimmie Athletics

JAMESTOWN, ND. (NewsDakota.com) – The University of Jamestown women’s basketball team came back from down 12 points in the second half on Thursday night for a season-opening 73-64 win over Mayville State.

UJ got out to an early lead in the first quarter before the Comets made four deep balls to turn the tide and take a 19-18 lead into the second quarter. Mayville continued to hit the outside shot in the second quarter and extended the lead to six points before the halftime break.

In the third quarter, Jamestown started to find its rhythm on offense behind key performances by Hannah DeMars and Kia Tower. The Jimmies started shooting well from the outside at the end of the third quarter with Sarah Lenz hitting a pair of threes to cut the Comets lead to four.

Mayville only held the lead in the fourth quarter for two minutes as the Jimmies took complete control of the game in the final eight minutes of play. DeMars, Tower, and Audrey Rodakowski all made big shots from the field to propel Jamestown to the win.

DeMars led the Jimmies with 21 points and 11 rebounds. Tower and Rodakowski each had 12 points and every Jimmie who touched the floor scored at least one point on Thursday night. Jordan Zrust of Mayville was the leading scorer with 25 points.

The JImmies outscored Mayville 23-8 in the final quarter of play. UJ shot 43% from the field, 38% from long range, and was 13-28 at the free throw line.

Jamestown opens up the year at 1-0 and will travel to Aberdeen next Tuesday to face off against Presentation College. Tipoff is set for 7:00 PM.