GPAC win streak halted at six in defeat at Jamestown

By Jacob Knabel on Jan. 14, 2023 in Women's Basketball

JAMESTOWN, N.D. – An early perimeter flurry staked the Concordia University Women’s Basketball to a seven-point lead before the star power of Hannah DeMars and Kia Tower eventually took over for host Jamestown. The Jimmies earned a regular season sweep of the Bulldogs while winning Saturday (Jan. 14)’s matchup in North Dakota, 79-72. Concordia fell despite knocking down 12 treys and forcing 20 turnovers.

The result snapped a six-game GPAC win streak for Head Coach Drew Olson’s squad (10-7, 8-5 GPAC). Meanwhile, Jamestown (13-5, 8-4 GPAC), coached by CUNE alum Thad Sankey, got back into the win column after it had dropped each of its past three outings while up against the three highest rated teams in the GPAC.

“We fought really hard and didn’t give up,” Olson said. “Jamestown’s a really good team. That second quarter hurt us with all their second chance opportunities. They got on a big run because of those – and got some threes off those offensive rebounds. We were right there. We have to continue to work on getting better and putting together a complete game. To beat good teams in this league, that’s what it requires. It’s not easy, but that’s what we’ve got to do.”

The Bulldogs certainly gave a better account of themselves than they did when they were beaten, 66-49, by the Jimmies back on Nov. 22. The latest contest came with drama down the stretch as the Concordia press paved the way for an 8-0 run that trimmed the visitor’s deficit from 13 to five (72-67) in the final minute. A would-be Bulldog layup at roughly the 40-second mark would have made it a four-point game. Jamestown responded by draining each of its final seven free throw attempts to sew up the win.

The Jimmies were hungry to get the positive result after they had been toppled by league frontrunners Northwestern, Dordt and Briar Cliff in succession. DeMars put together a monster performance in piling up 25 points and 17 rebounds. In addition, her co-star Towers notched 17 points and four assists. With DeMars and Towers leading the way, Jamestown performed more efficiently on the offensive end in shooting 45.0 percent (27-for-60) overall and 43.3 percent (13-for-30) from beyond the arc. The home team also enjoyed a decided advantage on the boards, 49-30.

Concordia came out red hot in making 4-of-5 shots it hoisted from long range. The Bulldogs owned a 14-7 early advantage before the game eventually turned in favor of the Jimmies, who ended the second quarter on an 11-3 run and took a 40-31 lead to the half. Concordia struggled in the halfcourt when it couldn’t find an open look beyond the arc. It went only 12-for-37 (.324) on shots inside 3-point range.

Three Bulldogs found their way into double figures in scoring: Taysha Rushton (15), Abby Krieser (14) and Megan Belt (12). A freshman out of Millard South High School, Belt went 4-for-6 from beyond the arc. Additional contributions were provided by Kendal Brigham (eight points and four assists), Kristin Vieselmeyer (eight points; 2-for-2 on 3-point field goals) and Mackenzie Toomey (six points and three steals). Concordia had not lost to a conference opponent since its 72-56 home defeat to Northwestern on Dec. 3.

Said Olson of Rushton, “Taysha has put together three really good games in a row. She’s been really efficient. AK (Krieser) continues to get better and gave us a huge lift with our scoring. Megan and Kristin as freshmen are doing a great job being confident. You can see their growth.”

Upon their return home, the Bulldogs will welcome Morningside (12-6, 7-5 GPAC) to Friedrich Arena on Wednesday for a 6 p.m. CT tipoff. Concordia will attempt to earn a regular season sweep of the Mustangs, a foe it knocked off in Sioux City, Iowa, 71-64, on Nov. 30. The Bulldogs own a 7-2 home record on the season.