SIOUX FALLS, SD – Basketball at its core is sometimes this simple: Teams that make a lot of their shots usually win, while teams that struggle shooting usually don’t.

University of Jamestown Men’s Basketball was held to 33 percent shooting from the field Saturday in an 80-69 loss to the University of Sioux Falls at Stewart Center.

On Thursday, the Jimmies (2-3) shot 50 percent and made 15 three-pointers in an 82-69 win at the University of Mary.

In this game, good defense from USF (2-1) and a big rebounding advantage (47-30) helped the Cougars to the victory.

Noah Puetz, Kyle Ingwerson and Taylen Ashley scored 15 points each to lead USF.  Puetz had six rebounds and two assists.  Ingwerson hit three three-pointers.  Creighton Morisch scored 11 points with 12 rebounds.

Owen Hektner led all scorers with 20 points for Jamestown, along with four rebounds and four steals.  Silas Bennion scored 18.

Hektner and Bennion opened the game with three-pointers, followed by a 12-2 run by USF.  A three-pointer by Ayden Stainbrook gave the Jimmies their last lead with 9:38 left in the first half.

USF followed with another big run, 15-4.  Ashley had seven points in this stretch.  The Cougars later led 46-30 before the Jimmies made the last seven points of the half, all on free throws.

Jamestown was down just 50-45 with 14:34 left before USF decided the game with an 18-7 run over the next 7:18.  The Jimmies came no closer than eight points for the balance of the contest.

USF shot 46 percent on field goals.

Jamestown’s run of games against future NSIC teams will continue on Wednesday against unbeaten Minot State on the road.  Coverage will begin at 7:00 PM on Wednesday on The Voice of the Jimmies, Jamestown 107.1.