Jimmies top seed for GPAC postseason

The ninth-ranked Jimmie men's basketball team will be the top seed for the GPAC Postseason Tournament, beginning Wednesday.

As the number one seed, Jamestown has secured an automatic berth to the NAIA Men's Basketball National Tournament.

GPAC Men's Basketball Quarterfinals – Wednesday, February 22
#8 Hastings (15-13, 8-12 GPAC) at #1 Jamestown (23-5, 15-5 GPAC), 7:45pm
#5 Concordia (17-11, 11-9 GPAC) at #4 Northwestern (20-8, 13-7 GPAC), 7pm
#6 Dakota Wesleyan (13-15, 9-11 GPAC) at #3 Dordt (22-6, 14-6 GPAC), 7:45pm
#7 Briar Cliff (14-13, 8-12 GPAC) at #2 Morningside (21-6, 15-5 GPAC), 7pm

GPAC Men's Basketball Semifinals – Saturday, February 25
#8/#1 winner vs. #5/#4 winner, TBA
#6/#3 winner vs. #7/#2 winner, Time TBA

GPAC Men's Basketball Championship Tuesday, February 28
Semifinal winners at highest remaining seed, Time TBA

Jamestown concluded the regular season at home Saturday afternoon against Dordt (Iowa), with the Defenders coming away with an 88-78 victory.

UJ opened with the first eight points and led 10-2 before the Defenders took a 15-13 lead. Four lead changes later, Dordt was up 23-21, and would lead by as much as 37-30 after Bryce Coppock scored at the 4:06 mark.

The Jimmies went on a 10-2 run to briefly go in front 40-39 with 34 seconds in the half. Luke Rankin put the Defenders up 41-40 with a basket right before the buzzer.

Dordt kept the lead between three and five points in the second half until Jamestown pulled back in front on a Will Cordes basket that made it 53-51. Mason Walters converted a three-point play and Cole Woodford knocked down a three to give UJ a one-point edge (63-62) with 9:29 to play. The Defenders responsed with 11 of the next 15 points, retaking the lead for good.

Walters recorded a double-double of 25 points and 14 assists for UJ. Reid Gastner had 17 points, including five three-pointers, while Woodford (15) and Cordes (13) were also in double figures. Marc Kjos added six points, six rebounds, and four assists.