Jimmies youth movement continues in 100-60 win over Doane

Dec. 4—The University of Jamestown women's basketball team mixed their youth with the veterans on their way to a 100-60 win over Doane University on Dec. 3 at Harold Newman Arena. The Jimmies (7-4, 2-3) two leading scorers were junior Hannah DeMars with 20 and freshman Sarah Lenz with 18.

The Jimmies broke triple digits for the first time since they scored 100 points in a 100-41 win over Dakota State on Dec. 17, 2018. This was the most points the Tigers (6-4, 1-4) have given up since they lost 104-73 to Northwestern earlier this year on Nov. 20.

There was maybe no play more evident of the youngsters' contributions than a three from Lenz late in the second half when the freshman chucked up a shot with a hand in her face and the shot clock winding down that went nothing but net.

"Honestly, just get it up. It kind of stinks when it is last-second shots like that. But, as long as you can try to get a good look and say a Hail Mary and hope it goes in," Lenz said. "It did, it felt good. I didn't think it would go in but I didn't think it would be an airball."

Midway through the first quarter, the Jimmies got out in transition off an airball and Megan Oswald hit the layup to make it 13-6.

The Jimmies' DeMars had a solo effort taking the ball the length of the floor and hitting the up and under and drawing the whistle. At the line, the senior converted the and-one to make it 40-21 with 3:11 to go in the second quarter. The Tigers put an end to the run with 1:45 to go when Kali Staples hit a wide open three at the top of the arc to make it a 45-24 game.

The Jimmies bench exploded when Oswald took a pass and drew the and-one, which she hit to make it a 64-34 game with 3:24 to go in the third quarter. Lenz splashed a three with just over a minute left to go in the third quarter to stretch the Jimmies lead to 67-41.

After Kate Busek sank a triple with 6:06 to go to extend the Jimmies lead out to 81-54, Jimmies head coach Thad Sankey called a timeout. With 41.8 seconds to go Busek hit a three to give the Jimmies the 100-59 lead.

Over the last three games, the Jimmies have not had to rely on junior Hannah DeMars much despite the junior leading the team with 20 points in this game, which allows her to cheer on her teammates from the bench, much like they do for her.

"It's awesome to see girls who don't get as high minutes in some games to let them go out there and do their thing and still keep the lead and shine like they have been," DeMars said. "It's awesome just to cheer for them because we know they cheer for us. We love to give back like that."

Over the last three contests, the Jimmies have outscored their opponents 288-165, which gives Sankey hope that his team has erased the slow start and hit their stride in this season.

"Well, maybe. I hope so. A season is ever evolving and a team is always adjusting and finding the right things and so for us, we'll keep searching," Sankey said. "We hope that we can do that. It's great to play at home, we've had great success here, it's a comfort zone for us. We'll keep at it."

The Jimmies are back in action at 2 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 4, when they host Hastings College. The Tigers hit the court again at 2 p.m. on Saturday when they go to Dakota Wesleyan University.

DU 60, UJ 100

DU: 10 16 17 17 — 60

UJ: 17 32 22 29 — 100

Points leaders:

DU: Mak Hatcliff 18, Kali Staples 13, Ashley Teten 12

UJ: Hannah DeMars 20, Sarah Lenz 18, Noelle Josephson 11

Assists leaders:

DU: Ragan Nickless 2, Olivia Nall 1, Boston Boucher 1, Kali Staples 1, Sydney Roth 1

UJ: DeMars 7, Kia Tower 5, Josephson 4, Jailyn Martinson 4

Rebounding leaders:

DU: Hatcliff 10, Maddie Davis 7, Staples 4

UJ: DeMars 8, Josephson 6, Megan Oswald 5