by Jim Holland Journal staff
RAPID CITY --- Leading by 25 points midway through the second half, the Jamestown Lady Jimmies were poised for a women's basketball victory over the South Dakota School of Mines.
But the Lady Hardrockers had other ideas, outgunning the Lady Jimmies 35-10 to force overtime, but falling short in the extra frame, 80-74 Saturday at Goodell Gymnasium.
Jamestown coach Mark Wiest was hoping his team could gain the weekend Dakota Athletic Conference split after a 67-60 loss to Black Hills State on Friday night, and indeed the Jimmies opened the second half with a 22-8 run, including a six-minute scoreless stretch for Mines.
Mines, looking for the weekend sweep after a 71-61 win over Valley City State Friday night, stormed back on the strength of 10-of-12 from the free-throw line and 3-pointers from Mandy Willmore and Maria Luze.
Luze's smooth-as-silk three from the top of the circle with a minute left cut the margin to four. Bethany Holyoak's free throws made it 69-67, and Willmore's clutch 15-foot jumper with seven seconds sent the contest into overtime.
"She's got a beautiful little pull-up jumper and showed no fear," Mines coach Barb Felderman said of Willmore.
While Mines made good use of their free-throw chances, Jamestown struggled with 4-of-13 from the stripe in the final seven minutes.
"We did get tired, lost our composure and that was a lot due to Mines. They really got after us with their full court press, and we used a lot of energy trying to break that. Fatigue really set in and we just got rattled for a little bit," Weist said.
Jerika Ihnen's old-school 3-point play gave Mines a 72-69 lead in overtime, but from there foul trouble took its toll on the Hardrockers.
Post players Ihnen and Holyoak soon took their seats with five personals, while Krista Shaikoski and Kellie Schuneman took control for the Jimmies.
Jamestown retook the lead for good on a pair of baskets from Shaikoski and Schuneman finally found the range with seven of eight from the stripe to seal it.
Holyoak scored 25 points and grabbed 10 rebounds to lead Mines. Ihnen added 15 points.
Mines (11-13 overall, 4-6 DAC), travels to Mayville State in North Dakota on Friday and Dakota State in Madison on Saturday.
Jamestown (19-6, 8-3 DAC) hosts Valley City State on Wednesday.
