Free throws, turnovers make the difference as Jimmies fall to Briar Cliff

SIOUX CITY, Iowa-- An 18-to-7 difference in made free throws in the fourth quarter helped contribute to the University of Jamestown women's basketball team's 81-70 loss to the Briar Cliff University Chargers Saturday afternoon.

The Chargers outscored the Jimmies 28-17 over the final ten minutes, with 18 of those points coming from the foul line. Briar Cliff attempted 22 free throws as UJ committed 13 fouls, while Jamestown was 7-for-8 on four Charger fouls.

UJ started Saturday's game with a 12-2 lead and took a nine-point advantage into the second quarter. Jamestown shot 58 percent in the second quarter and 50 percent overall in the first half as they led 38-29 at the break.

Hannah DeMars (JR/Grand Rapids, MN) converted a three-point play to make it 48-37 with 6:45 left in the third, and the tide quickly turned. Briar Cliff closed out the period with a 16-5 run to tie the game going into the fourth.

Nine straight points to begin the final stanza put the Chargers ahead 62-53 and in the bonus with 5:54 to play. BCU's final 14 points came from the charity stripe as the Jimmies were forced to foul.

Turnovers also hurt UJ's chances as BCU turned 21 Jimmie miscues into 21 points. The Chargers turned the ball over 12 times, resulting in only eight points for Jamestown.

Kia Tower (JR/Bigfork, MN) had 21 points, DeMars 19, and Madelyn Schmidt (FR/Tappen, ND) 10. DeMars added seven rebounds, four steals, and three assists. Megan Oswald (FR/Brownsdale, MN) also had seven rebounds for UJ.

Jamestown finishes the regular season next week with two home games, the first coming against College of Saint Mary (Neb.) on Thursday at 6 p.m.