Jimmies remain perfect

A near flawless first half of basketball pushed the Jamestown College women's basketball team to the 5-0 mark in Mitchell, S.D., on Friday.

The Jimmies sank 13 of 26 shots from the floor, 7 of 8 shots from beyond three-point range, and converted 14 of 16 attempts at the charity stripe to dominate Dakota Wesleyan University 47-25 at the half. The Tigers (2-3) made a run at the Jimmies after the break, but the damage had already been done in a 72-63 Jamestown College victory.

Jimmies senior guard Amanda Rantapaa continued to tear the net up from long range against the Tigers, sinking 3 of 3 three-pointers during her team's big first half. Rantapaa led JC at the break scoring all 10 of her points in the opening 20 minutes, while Giuli Varriano and Kellie Schuneman each tossed in seven.

Jamestown College forced nine turnovers and dished out nine assists, led by Schuneman with four, en route to the 22-point lead at the half.

"We played just a tremendous first half of basketball. The girls got in a groove and knocked down some shots for us," Jimmies coach Mark Wiest said. "We had nine assists in the first half, which shows we did a good job moving the ball and setting our shooters up, and we had good balance. Eight players scored for us in the first half."

The No. 6-ranked Jimmies received a lift off the bench in the form of junior forward Krista Shaikoski and freshman guard Justene Engels. Shaikoski posted six of her eight points in the first, while Engels tossed in five more in a combined 12 minutes of action before halftime.

Also coming up big for the Jimmies was senior post player Cori Doubek. Doubek, who continues to battle back issues, led JC with 14 points and 10 rebounds in 22 minutes played.

"Krista played her best game for us so far this year. She finished with only eight points, but she played well," Wiest said. "Cori also gave us a good effort, considering she's still a little banged up."

But the Tigers didn't roll over for the Jimmies' after the break. A trey by Dakota Wesleyan's Allison Johnson cut the lead to just 65-60 with 1:19 to play in the game.

Johnson ended the night scoring 17 points, while the Tigers were led by Maggie Malloy with 18.

Clutch free throw shooting by the Jimmies down the stretch, however, sealed the victory. Jamestown College ended the game on a 7-3 run, with Varriano going 2 of 2 at the line and Schuneman sinking 3 of 4.

The Jimmies made 23 of 29 foul shots in the game.

"I hate to say things like this, but the officials did absolutely no favors for us in the second half," Wiest said. "They let a lot of things go on their end of the court and not on our end. But you also have to credit Dakota Wesleyan. They played a good half of basketball and shot the ball much better in the second half.

"It's college basketball, and we've stressed that teams will make runs at us."

After clanking 9 of 10 three-pointers off the rim in the first half, the Tigers warmed up in the second to convert 5 of 10 shots from long range. The Jimmies outrebounded the Tigers 36-28 in the game, and won the turnover battle 12-18.

"This was a big win for us. I thought we really needed to get this one," Wiest said. "Dakota Wesleyan is a tough matchup. They have good players and they made us earn it."

Jamestown College travels to Yankton, S.D., today in what will be another tough test for the Jimmies against undefeated Mt. Marty College (5-0). The Lancers have posted early-season victories over Black Hills State, South Dakota Tech and Valley City State.

"Mt. Marty will be a tough matchup for us tomorrow night," Wiest said. "They've already beat some good teams and it will be a big challenge for us on their home court."

Jamestown College 72, Dakota Wesleyan 63

Jamestown College 47 25 -- 72

Dakota Wesleyan 25 38 -- 63

Jamestown College: Giuli Varriano 4-11 2-2 11, Cori Doubek 4-9 6-6 14, Katie O'Neill 3-7 2-2 8, Kellie Schuneman 1-6 8-9 10, Amanda Rantapaa 3-9 1-2 10, Krista Shaikoski 2-4 2-3 8, Justene Engels 1-2 2-2 5, Nicole Ahlers 1-1 0-0 2, Jackie Hust 0-0 0-0 0, Amber Ramlo 0-1 0-0 0, Allison Epping 1-2 0-1 2, Bridget Schuneman 1-2 0-0 2.

Totals: 21-54 FG, Three-pointers: 7-15 (Rantapaa 3-8, Shaikoski 2-3, Varriano 1-1, Engels 1-1, O'Neill 0-2), 23-29 FT, 36 Rebounds (Doubek 10), 20 Fouls, 12 Assists (K.Schuneman 4), 12 Turnovers, 2 Blocks (Doubek 2), 12 Steals (K.Schuneman 3).

Dakota Wesleyan: Angela Noteboom 4-5 1-1 9, Ashley Mailey 1-6 1-2 3, Allison Johnson 8-15 0-0 17, Ashley Johnson 1-5 2-2 5, Maggie Malloy 6-9 5-7 18, Elizabeth Lamb 2-4 0-0 5, Kenzie Dvoracek 0-1 0-0 0, Brittany Hills 2-4 0-0 6, Marie Olson 0-2 0-0 0.

Totals: 24-51 FG, Three-pointers: 6-20 (Hills 2-3, Malloy 1-2, Lamb 1-3, Allison Johnson 1-4, Ashley Johnson 1-5, Dvoracek 0-1, Mailey 0-2), 9-12 FT, 28 Rebounds (Malloy 8), 21 Fouls (Ashley Johnson), 13 Assists (Ashley Johnson 4, Hills 4), 18 Turnovers, 5 Steals (5 with 1).

Records: Jamestown College 5-0; Dakota Wesleyan 2-3.

Sun sports writer Michael Savaloja can be reached at (701) 952-8461 or by email at mikes@jamestownsun.com