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(VCSUVikings.com)- The University of Jamestown won its fourth straight North Star Athletic Association women’s basketball title Sunday. The Jimmies used pesky full-court pressure and a hot start from 3-point range to score a 79-70 victory over Valley City State University in the NSAA Tournament Championship.
Jamestown’s Bryn Woodside nailed a 3-pointer on the game’s opening possession – a sign of things to come for Jamestown. The Jimmies would knock down five 3-pointers in the first quarter – making five of their first six attempts – as they built a 27-14 advantage and led 27-19 at the quarter break.
Despite making several runs, VCSU would trail the rest of the way. The lead hovered around six to eight points most of the game before the Vikings closed to within 71-67 with two minutes to go. Jamestown used a quick 4-0 spurt to put the game away and seal its spot in the national tournament.
University of Jamestown (25-5, 15-1 NSAA) advances to the NAIA National Tournament which is March 8-14 in Sioux City, Iowa. Valley City State University (24-8, 13-3 NSAA) has a strong chance to earn an at-large bid to the NAIA National Tournament, but will have to wait until next week’s selection show to know for sure. The national tournament qualifiers and bracket will be announced on Wednesday evening. Valley City State tied a school-record with 24 wins this season. The Vikings also scored victories over No. 11 Jamestown and No. 21 Dickinson State during the last week.
The Vikings shot 55 percent for the game (29-53), 40 percent on 3’s (4-10) but only 50 percent at the line (8-16). Jamestown went 38 percent from the field (24-64), 30 percent on 3’s (7-23) and 77 percent at the line (24-31).
Jamestown’s full-court pressure defense forced the Vikings into seven first-quarter turnovers and 20 turnovers in the game. That led to 11 more shot attempts for Jamestown (64 to 53).
Lexi Lennon scored a game-high 20 points to lead VCSU’s offense. Alli Vandal and Georgia Williams each had 11 points, and Kennedy Henningsgard went 5-for-5 from the field and scored 10 points off the bench. Lennon and Williams were both named to the NSAA All-Conference Team following the game. Paige Meyer was named VCSU’s Champion of Character representative for the season.
Bryn Woodside scored 18 points to lead four Jimmies in double figures. McKayla Orr scored 14, Taylor Hammer added 11 and Jory Mullen scored 10 points off the bench.
The Jimmies led by as many as 15 in the second quarter at 46-31 with 4:33 remaining. VCSU scored the next seven points though and closed the half on a 12-4 run to climb within 50-43 at the break. Valley City State shot 62 percent in the first half, going 18-for-29 from the field, but 11 first-half turnovers led to seven more shot attempts for the Jimmies. Jamestown knocked down seven first-half 3’s, going 7-for-13 from deep over the first 20 minutes en route to the 50-43 halftime lead.
The teams traded baskets throughout much of the third quarter before the Jimmies took a 65-55 lead into the final 10 minutes.
Valley City State missed an opportunity to make a run early in the fourth quarter. VCSU’s defense held the Jimmies scoreless through the first three minutes of the fourth quarter and to just three points in the quarter with 4:36 remaining in the game. But the Vikings could only manage five points on their end through the same stretch, creeping to within eight points but no closer.
Lexi Lennon’s 3-pointer with 3:30 remaining finally brought the Vikings to within seven at 70-63. Lennon followed with a 10-foot jumper on the next possession, making it 71-65 with 2:43 to go. A stop and basket by Henningsgard brought the Vikings to within 71-67 at the 2 minute mark. Valley City had a chance to get closer, but after getting a stop the Vikings turned it over on their next possession. Jamestown’s Kyra Dewald followed with a basket in the lane and the Jimmies put the game away with a steal and layup to go up 75-67 with 56 seconds remaining.
Up next: Jamestown advances to the NAIA National Tournament which is March 8-14 in Sioux City, Iowa. Valley City State has a strong chance to earn an at-large bit to the NAIA National Tournament, but will have to wait until next week’s selection show to know for sure. The national tournament qualifiers and bracket will be announced on Wednesday evening.