The Minnesota West Lady Jays avenged an earlier loss to Minnesota State Fergus Falls by winning on the road Wednesday night against the Spartans, 64-47.
The Lady Jays, ranked fourth in the most recent NJCAA Division III Women’s Basketball Poll, had lost 84-78 at home to Minnesota State on Jan. 3. This time, Minnesota West’s defense stepped up, as it allowed a mere four points in the second quarter. The Lady Jays led 34-20 at halftime and were up 55-36 after three quarters in cruising to the triumph.
Olivia Hayenga scored 26 points, pulled down 20 rebounds and passed for seven assists to lead Minnesota West in each of those categories. Hattie DeVries, who was plagued by foul trouble, still managed to contribute 13 points, and Dasia Potter added 11. The Spartans were limited to 35% shooting from the field and were outrebounded by the Lady Jays 38-24. Minnesota West is now 16-7 on the season and 5-2 in conference play.
In the men’s game that followed, Minnesota State went up 44-29 at halftime and went on to post an 81-73 victory over the Bluejays.
Minnesota West, which shot 36% from the field in the game compared to 42% for the Spartans, was led offensively by Jiekgoy Wiel’s 17 points. Teddy Collins Jr. chipped in with 15 points and Karasharo Ojulo added 11. Ojulo and Jordan Sinclair each had nine rebounds for the Bluejays, who dropped to 3-18 overall and 1-7 in conference play.
