Notables
-Exhibition Game
-CSS' Walther leads all scorers with 29 points
-Offensive Rebounds: UJ 20, CSS 9
DULUTH, Minn. (
csssaints.com) – The St. Scholastica women's basketball team led for over 35 minutes against the NAIA's University of Jamestown (N.D.) in Sunday's exhibition game at the Reif Gymnasium, but the Jimmies outscored the Saints 23-8 in the final period to rally past the Saints 72-69.
Walther on Fire
Sophomore
Michala Walther (Roseville, Minn./Concordia Academy) outscored the Jimmies by herself in the opening quarter going 6-for-6 from the field, including 4-for-4 from beyond the arc for 16 points in the quarter as the Saints led 24-15.
The Saints led for the entire second quarter as Walther had 22 of the team's 42 points at half as St. Scholastica led 42-36 at the break. She missed her final 3-point attempt at the end of half to finish 8-for-9 from the floor. CSS had a field goal percentage of 50 percent, while Jamestown was held to 41 percent. Kyra Dewald had 13 points to lead the Jimmies.
Extend the Lead in the Third
A
Mel Weisbrick (Hibbing, Minn./Hibbing HS (Hibbing CC)) layup extended the St. Scholastica lead to 51-40 midway through the third quarter. Jamestown got the margin down to seven, but the Saints scored the final five points of the period with a pair of free throws by
Taylor Nowling (Mora, Minn./Mora HS) and then a 3-pointer by Walther to make it 61-49 heading into the fourth quarter.
Fourth Quarter Struggles
The Jimmies opened the fourth quarter on a 12-0 run as the Saints did not score a field goal until there was four minutes remaining. With the score tied at 61-61,
Danielle Cieluch (Duluth, Minn./Duluth East HS) banked in a 3-pointer to give the Saints a 64-61 lead.
However, Jamestown answered with a 7-0 run and a Mckayla Orr 3-pointer with 3:27 left gave the Jimmies their first lead since it was 2-0 in the opening minute of the game.
A Walther steal and layup cut the margin to two, but the Saints could not get a stop on the defensive end and an Orr layup iced the game to give Jamestown a 72-69 victory.
Three Games in Three Days
This was Jamestown's third game in three days as it defeated Northland College on Friday 92-44 and then took down Division II's St. Cloud State on Saturday 81-69.
Top Performances for CSS
Walther led all scorers with 29 points. St. Scholastica has not had a 30-point scorer in a game since the 2003-04 season. Cieluch added 12 points off the bench and had a team-high six rebounds.
Kayla Swanson (Hibbing, Minn./Hibbing HS) chipped in nine points.
Top Performances for Jamestown
Dewald had 17 points to pace the Jimmies. Taylor Hammer had 13 points and a game-high 15 rebounds. Eight of her rebounds came in the fourth quarter alone, including five offensive rebounds. Orr scored nine of her 11 points in the last period.
Up Next
The Saints will begin their season for real next Friday at the Gustavus Adolphus College Tip-Off in St. Peter. CSS will face the host, Gustavus Adolphus, at 6 p.m.
