Jimmies start fast in victory over Bruins

JAMESTOWN, N.D. -- The University of Jamestown women's basketball team scored the game's first 14 points and never looked back as they defeated Bellevue University, 77-56, on Sunday afternoon in a North Star Athletic Association game.

The loss was the fourth in a row for the Bruins who fall to 9-10 overall in 3-4 in NSAA play. Jamestown remained unbeaten in league play, improving to 7-0, while running their overall record to 12-4.

Caletria Curtis led the Bruins with 15 points on 7-of-17 shooting and fell just one rebound shy of a double-double. Ryleigh McCartney joined her in double figures with 10 points and chipped in four rebounds. Also contributing offensively were Taylor Cormier (9 points, 4 assists) and Cassidy Hubbs (8 points, 4-of-6 FG).

The trio of Alexis Watts (15 points), Kyra Dewald (14 points), and Taylor Hammer (13 points) combined for 42 points for the host Jimmies. Hammer also pulled down 12 rebounds to notch a double-double.

Bellevue struggled with foul trouble throughout as both Curtis and Cormier fouled out and four other Bruins finished the game with at least three personal fouls.

UJ scored at least 17 points in each quarter, out-scoring the Bruins in each of the four periods.

The Jimmies opened the game on a 14-0 run in the first 3:44 of action. Dewald opened the run by draining a three-pointer and closed it with a basket following a Bruin turnover. After finding themselves in an early hole, BU responded well, out-scoring Jamestown by a count of 30-26 over the remainder of the first half.

Despite a tight second quarter, BU entered halftime trailing 40-30. A three by Hammer to open the second half saw Jamestown push their lead to 43-30 and Bellevue would not get closer than 11 points the rest of the way.

A pair of free throws by Christen Voyles with 1:21 to play in the third brought Bellevue within 13 at 54-41. However, Jamestown put the game away with a 7-0 run spanning 2:13 that was capped by a Watts three-pointer with 9:02 to play.

Bellevue returns home on Saturday, Jan. 14 when they host Dakota State University at 3 p.m. in the first game of a BU basketball double-header. The men will play the Trojans at 5 p.m., approximately 20 minutes following the conclusion of the women's game.