JAMESTOWN - In a hard contested battle, the Jamestown Community College women's basketball team fell to Mercyhurst North East in conference action, 78-71.
The Jayhawks (8-10, 1-2 WNYAC) were led offensively by Gabby Iuculano with 20 points with Linnea Jimerson adding 13 points. Marisa Schuppenhauer had a stellar game, scoring 11 points, grabbing eight rebounds (7offense, 1 defense) while dishing out five assists. Jesse Zenns did work on the post, grabbing eight rebounds with Iuculano grabbing five rebounds (1 offense, 4 defense) and coming away with five steals.
The Saints got out to a hot start, going up 9-2 in the first three minutes of action. Jimerson was able to halt the run, making it 9-4 after hitting a pair of free throws. Mercyhurst North East continued to extend their lead, going up 17-6 with under five minutes in the first frame
In the final four minutes of the first quarter, the Jayhawks closed the deficit to three after outscoring the Saints 10-2. During the stretch, Iuculano and Jimerson scored four points each.
Going into the half down three, the Jayhawks drew up a game plan to try and get on top. Out of the break, Iuculano drove the lane for an easy two. After and empty possession for the Saints, Schuppenhauer attempted the three-point but came up short. She pounced on the offensive rebound and got a layup herself, giving Jamestown the 39-38 advantage.
Starting to catch theistride, JCC got a five-point lead at the halfway point of the third quarter. Jamestown went on a 10-2 run with two big three-pointers, one by Schuppenhauer and one by Jimerson.
The Saints quickly flipped the script, gaining a 10-point lead with under two minutes to play in the third, going up 59-49.
In the fourth, the Saints were able to maintain a lead throughout the final frame, with the Jayhakws coming within two possessions on multiple occasions.
Jamestown went 26-for-74 (35.1 percent) from the floor while shooting 5-for-23 (21.7 percent) from beyond the arc. Mercyhurst North East went 26-for-56 (46.4 percent) from the floor while shooting 5-for-15 (33.3 percent) from the three-point line. On the glass, the Saints held a 47-38 advantages while the Jayhawks had 16 turnovers to the Saints' 25 turnovers.
The Jayhawks will be off until next Monday, February 3rd, as they travel to Villa Maria to avenge and early-season loss.