Photo - Walt Rybczynski

JAMESTOWN - Opening up the season at the Physical Education Complex, the Jamestown Community College women's basketball team was edged out by visiting Lakeland Community College Wednesday evening by a score of 68-63.

The Jayhawks (0-1) were led offensively by freshman forward Grace Lundmark (Falconer, NY/Falconer HS) with 22 points with sophomore guard D'Auzhanay Harden (Erie, PA/Erie HS) with 10 points. On the boards, sophomore forward Hannah Hicks (Cleveland, OH/Cleveland Heights) with 15 rebounds (5 offense, 10 defense) with both Lundmark and Harden adding seven rebounds each.

Both teams were evenly matched for the first 18 minutes of action, going punch-for-punch with another. JCCdid find separation as the first half was coming to an end, going on a 9-0 run. During the run, Lundmark and sophomore guard/forward Zalika Stevens (Toronto, Ontario, Canada/Thornlea Secondary School) sparked the run with four points each with the Jayhawks taking a 36-27 lead into the break.

JCC continued to open the lead up to start the third quarter, scoring six unanswered to make the run 15-0 over a five minute span. The momentum shifted in the Lakers favor over the last five minutes of the quarter, going on a 14-3 run to have the slight 46-45 edge going into the final frame.

LCC maintained the lead for most of the fourth quarter but the Jayhawks slowly chipped away at a six point deficit over the final five minutes of regulation. JCC did regain the lead at the 2:45 mark with a layup from freshman guard Chyann Kelly (Bailey, CO/Platte Canyon HS) to give the Jayhawks the 60-59 advantage. The Lakers and Jayhawks traded layups with freshman forward Desiree Nelson (Fort Defiance, AZ/Window Rock HS) giving JCC a 62-61 lead with over two minutes to go.

The Lakers used a 7-01 run to close the game out to get the win.

The Jayhawks went 25-for-58 (43.1 percent) from the floor with the Lakers going 27-for-70 (34.2 percent) from the field. JCC dominated the glass, grabbing 57 boards to LCC's 37.

The Jayhawks will start their eight-game road trip this Saturday, November 5th, as they face Bronx Community College at the Cannoneer Classic hosted by Jefferson Community College. Tip is set for 7 p.m.