JAMESTOWN – A late surge in the fourth quarter fell short as the Jamestown Community College women's basketball team fell to Villa Maria College, 68-60 Monday evening at the Physical Education Complex.
The Jayhawks (4-7) were led offensively by Gabby Iuculano with 15 points while Linnea Jimerson added 13 points. Marisa Schuppenhauer had a team-high eight rebounds (3 offense, 5 defense). Jimerson had a great day on the boards as well, grabbing seven rebounds (2 offense, 5 defense) and adding four assists to round out her night. Jesse Zenns was a force in the paint, recording a new career-high six blocks in the contest.
For a majority of the first quarter, neither team could find much separation with the team at a deadlock, 8-8, in the first four minutes of action. With just over three minutes left in the frame, Courtney Hemminger knocked down the three-pointer to give JCC the lead back. Iuculano continued the momentum, driving the lane twice to get the layups, including converting an and-one opportunity to give Jamestown the 16-8 lead. The Vikings battled back in the closing second of the quarter to cut the deficit to four, trailing 19-15.
Dakaylah Winfield closed the gap to one-point in the beginning of the second quarter, knocking down a three-point shot to make it 19-18. Jamestown maintained the lead for the first five minutes for the second quarter before Jordan Wright gave the Vikings the lead, 23-22. The teams traded buckets before Binaca Brown gave Villa Maria a 28-24 lead with four minutes until halftime. The Jayhawks clawed back with Schuppenhauer and Hemminger making their baskets to draw even at 28-28. Villa Maria closed out the half with an 8-2 run.
After the break, the Vikings found their offense, pushing their lead out to double digits after a layup from Tekia Gary, giving Villa Maria a 47-37 advantage. The Vikings pushed their lead to 12 at the end of the third, 53-41.
The Jayhawks fought hard in the final frame, outscoring Villa Maria 19-15. The Vikings had their biggest lead of the game in the early goings of the fourth after Winfield knocked down a three-pointer to make it 64-49. The Jayhawks found a spark, scoring the games next nine points, starting with Hemminger's second three-pointer of the game. The comeback fell short as the Vikings knocked down their free throws to put the game away.
JCC had a great night on the boards, grabbing 48 rebounds to the Vikings 42. Villa Maria had the advantage in points off turnovers, scoring 23 points to Jamestown's 14 points. The Jayhawks inserted their dominance in the paint, scoring 34 points to Villa Maria's 28 points.
The Jayhawks will be back on the road this Wednesday as the travel to Lorain County Community College for their final game before winter break.