Bluejays split weekend basketball games while Lady Jays go 0-2

The Minnesota West men's basketball team won Friday night and lost a tight one Saturday as both Bluejay squads hosted the Sanford Classic at the Center for Health & Wellness.

On Friday, the Bluejays built a commanding 63-36 halftime advantage and went on from there to defeat the Dordt JV 109-95. Five Minnesota West players finished with double-figure point totals. Rickhi Graham led the way with 26 points while also handing out 10 assists and recording six steals; he also tied for the team high with six rebounds.

On Saturday, the Bluejays trailed by nine at halftime, but rallied in the second half before coming up just short to the Northwestern JV, 104-103. Dhimani Tucker had 28 points for Minnesota West, which has a season record of 2-1, and Deion Kinnetz-Jenkins added 18 off the bench.

In women's basketball, the Lady Jays dropped each of their games on Friday and Saturday in their first competition of the season. Like the men's team, the women also lost by a point on Saturday.

On Friday, it was the Dordt JV cruising past Minnesota West 82-52. Payton Reimers scored 19 points and wound up as the only Lady Jay who scored in double figures.

On Saturday, it was the Northwestern JV edging Minnesota West 76-75. Reimers had 28 points, Daniella Martinez added 17 and Katelyn Froderman had 13.