Jimmies nearly complete 19-point comeback against No. 23 Briar Cliff

The University of Jamestown women's basketball team overcame a 19-point third quarter deficit, but a Briar Cliff free throw with less than one second remaining was the difference as the 23rd-ranked Chargers defeated the Jimmies 66-65 at Harold Newman Arena Wednesday evening.

Jamestown trailed 19-18 after the first quarter, but a 4-of-14 shooting performance and six turnovers in the second led to a 43-27 halftime lead for Briar Cliff.

A Payton Slaughter three-pointer to open the third quarter gave the Chargers their biggest lead of the night. The Jimmies continued to chip away at the lead, cutting it to single digits after Madelyn Schmidt (FR/Tappen, ND) made a three-pointer with 1:40 remaining in the third.

Another Schmidt three brought the Jimmies level with 4:35 to play, then on the next possession, Hannah DeMars (JR/Grand Rapids, MN) scored to give Jamestown their first lead of the game.

Konnor Sudmann made one of two free throws to give BCU a 65-64 lead with 1:40 remaining, then DeMars made one of two at the line to tie the game at 65 with 29 seconds left.

DeMars attempted a three with three seconds left, but Noelle Josephson (SR/Ramsey, MN) was whistled for a foul with 0.4 seconds remaining, sending Mya Hendry to the line. Hendry missed the first attempt but made the second, and Jamestown was unable to get an inbounds pass in for a potential game-winning shot.

DeMars, Schmidt, and Sarah Lenz (FR/Belle Plaine, MN) all had 12 points for UJ. Kia Tower (JR/Bigfork, MN) finished with eight as did Josephson, who also had 11 rebounds, five assists, and three steals.

Slaughter led all scorers with 13 for Briar Cliff. Jamestown, now 11-8 overall and 4-7 in the GPAC, hosts Concordia (Neb.) Saturday at 2 p.m.