Blue Jays Roundup: Basketball three away from beating Century

JAMESTOWN — Benching Logan Nissley almost cost Bismarck Century its first conference loss of the season.

The Jays just couldn't get that last shot to land.

The Blue Jays dropped 51-49 to the state runners-up Tuesday evening to fall to 8-6 in the West Region standings. Tuesday marked the Jays' third-straight last-second loss. Head coach Andy Skunberg and the squad will be back at Jerry Meyer Arena on Thursday hosting Bismarck Legacy. Tip-off is scheduled for 5:45 p.m.

The Blue Jay boys dropped to Century 74-59. Final stats were not provided.

"I am very happy with the effort of the girls tonight coming off of a tough loss," Skunberg said. "We knew Century was going to be a hard-fought game and the girls really gave what they could tonight."

Senior Ella Falk once again led the Jays in total scoring with 20 points while Katie Falk hit double digits with 12 points. Haylie Hakanson hit four free throws en route to her six total points while Breanna Oettle three from the line and a bucket for five points. Shooters Jada Walter and Rylee Joseph each hit one from beyond the arc to add three to the stat books.

But really it came to the defensive plays.

"Our defensive game has improved a lot this season and I think that really showed tonight," Skunberg said.

Ella Falk nabbed 10 defensive and 1 offensive rebound. Katie Falk was credited with five defensive and six offensive boards. Hakanson grabbed two boards.

It was a good fight, but looking ahead to the coming weeks, Skunberg said his team has some work to do if they are going to be ready for the West Region Tournament in early March.

"Moving forward we need to do a better job finishing our layups and capitalizing on the free throws," Skunberg said. "We are coming to the end of the season this close game was nice to see as we move closer to tournament time."

Century 51, Jamestown 49

CEN — Stats not provided.

JHS — E. Falk 20, K. Falk 12, Hakanson 6, Oettle 5, Walter 3, Joseph 3. Totals: 14 FG, 15-20 FT, 14 fouls. 3-pointers: E. Falk 4, Joseph 1, Walter 1.

The Belzer sisters were firing on the same wavelength and Mandan couldn't seem to find any answers— until late in the second period that is.

The Blue Jay girls hockey team fell 4-3 to Mandan Tuesday evening. Head coach Andy Fitzgerald and his crew will get back to work on Thursday at Dickinson. The Jays and Midgets will face off at 6:30 p.m.

Blue Jay senior Bernadette Belzer surprised the Braves with a score coming at the 0:59 mark of the second period Tuesday. Her little sister, Stella, then tallied a breakaway goal to make it 2-0 Jays with 2:59 gone in the second.

Jamestown maintained its lead until Mandan's Madison Hertz capitalized on an assist from Mikayla Fleck to make it 2-1 Jamestown. Hertz's goal was followed by three straight from the Braves to put Mandan up 4-2.

Bernadette would score another at the 12:08 mark of the third but the Jays proved unable to rally in the remaining five minutes to force overtime.

Blue Jay goaltender, Olivia Sorlie, made a staggering 43 saves off 47 shots faced.

Mandan 4, Jamestown 3

JHS 0 2 1 — 3

MAN 0 3 1 — 4

Scoring

First period

No scoring.

Second period

1. JHS, Bernadette Belzer (unassisted), 0:59; 2. JHS, Stella Belzer (unassisted), 2:59; 3. MAN, Madison Hertz (Mikayla Fleck), 5:36; 4. MAN, K. Gerhardt (Afton Leingang), 13:36; 5. MAN, Leingang (Tayah Myhre, Kenlee Edland), 16:14.

Third period

6. MAN, Myhre (Leingang), 3:14; 7. JHS, B. Belzer (unassisted), 12:08.

Goalie saves: Jamestown, Olivia Sorlie 14-21-8—43; Mandan, Keiley Bures 2-2-9—13.

Penalties: Jamestown 3 for 6 minutes; Mandan 2 for 4 minutes.