JAMESTOWN - With a chance to host the Region 3 Women's Basketball Championship this weekend, the Jamestown Community College women's basketball team would have to win this evening. In a hard-fought effort, they fell to Niagara County Community College, 94-89.

The Jayhawks (3-7, 1-3 WNYAC) were led by freshman forward Hannah Hicks (Cleveland, OH/Cleveland Heights) with her seventh double-double of the season, scoring 20 points while grabbing 22 rebounds (6 offense, 16 defense). Hicks also had a career-high blocks, denying eight shot attempts.

Continuing to produce on the offensive end, freshman forward Nadara Odell (Dunkirk, NY/Dunkirk HS) had a game-high 31 points. Freshman guards Kymi Nance (Dunkirk, NY/Dunkirk HS) and Jessica Beehler (Dunkirk, NY/Dunkirk HS) each reached double-digit points, scoring 21 and 11 points.

JCC found themselves in a hole early with the Thunderwolves scoring the game's first 10 points. From that point, JCC collected themselves and started to attack the basket to create offense. The Jayhawks cut it to a two possession game with baskets from Hicks and Nance in the lane. Keeping them in reach during the first quarter, the Jayhawks got Odell going in in the final minute, scoring the team's final three points, trailing 18-15.

The teams traded baskets to start the second frame, with the Jayhawks trailing by one point. With a back-and-forth game for half the quarter, the Thunderwolves were able to create a cushion with a mde jumper from Meghan Gill to make it 34-28 in favor of NCCC with under five minutes until intermission.

The Thunderwovles took a double-digit lead as Alissa Backert knocked down a three-point, going up 45-35. Alania Forbes gave NCCC their biggest lead of 13-points in the first half, hitting her shot from beyond the arc. Cutting into the deficit, freshman guard Sydney Burk (Jamestown, NY/Southwestern High) drove the lane for the deuce to close the half. The Thunderwolves would take a 53-42 into the break.

The Jayhawks never waivered despite being down by more than two possessions for the third quarter. Being down 10 points early in the final frame, JCC found their offense, going on a 10-2 run fueled by a three-pointer by Odell and capped off by Nance converting an and-one opportunity to trail 81-79.

Nance continued to be the option down the stretch, tying the game after collecting an offensive board from a missed free throw from Odell, knotting this up at 83 apiece. NCCC created separation once again, scoring nine unanswered points to go up 92-83 with just over a minute left in regulation.

Competing until the end, Nance made two baskets down the stretch but the rally would fall short.

The Jayhawks went 37-for-108 (34.3 percent) from the floor with the Thunderwolves going 38-for-113 (33.6 percent) from the field. JCC controlled the paint, scoring 66 points to NCCC's 42 points. The Thunderwolves had the edge in rebounds, 82-73.

The Jayhawks will be back in action this Saturday, April 3rd, as they travel to Niagara County Community College for the NJCAA Region 3 Women's Basketball Championship. Tip is set for noon.