The Minnesota West Lady Jays improved to 3-1 in MCAC South Division play Saturday as they earned a third straight victory, a 95-72 triumph over St. Cloud Tech at the Center for Health and Wellness.
The Lady Jays opened the game by surging to a 20-2 lead and finished the first half up 41-24. The visiting Cyclones, who fell to 5-11 overall, never seriously threatened as Minnesota West, ranked fourth in the latest NJCAA Division III Women’s Basketball poll, improved to 14-6 on the season.
Sophomore forward Hattie DeVries played a solid game for the Lady Kays, scoring a game-high 21 points while adding 10 rebounds and seven assists. Olivia Hayenga, despite a rough game shooting from the floor, contributed 19 points and a game-best 18 rebounds. Audrey Drapeau, meanwhile, had a season-high five 3-pointers in scoring 19 points; she also passed for seven assists while committing just one turnover.
Skylla Petersen also chipped in with 12 points for Minnesota West, which outrebounded St. Cloud Tech 56-38 on the afternoon.
In the men’s contest, the Bluejays fought gamely throughout against St. Cloud Tech before suffering a 79-73 setback.
Both teams never led by more than six points throughout the game as the Cyclones advanced to 11-4 overall and 2-2 in South division Play. Minnesota West lost its eighth straight and fell to 2-14 overall and 0-4 in the South.
It was a big afternoon for freshman Bluejays guard Karasharo Ojulo, who led all scorers with 27 points while shooting 9-of-14 from the floor, 3-of-5 from beyond the 3-point line and 6-of-6 on free throws. Ojulo also led Minnesota West in rebounding with nine boards.
Two other players scored in double figures for Minnesota West, as Jordan Sinclair had 18 points and Henry Counsel had 14. The Blue Jays went 16-for-19 on free throws in the game after making 15-of-18 in the first half alone. The Cyclones, who trailed 39-35 at the half, made 63 percent of their shots from the floor in the second 20 minutes.
Minnesota West’s women’s and men’s teams both play at Rochester on Wednesday night. The Yellow Jackets’ women’s team is the defending national champion and ranked No. 1 in the nation. Rochester’s men’s team is 8-8 overall.
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Sporting events throughout southwest Minnesota and northwest Iowa were called off over the weekend due to the weather.
In the case of the Worthington Trojans, the Trojans girls basketball team’s home game against New Ulm set for Friday night was postponed, as was the boys hoops’ game at the Eagles. On Saturday, a WHS boys/girls hockey doubleheader against Minnesota River at the Worthington Ice Arena was postponed. The conference wrestling tournament that was to be hosted at Southwest Minnesota State University in Marshall was also postponed. The Sweetheart Invitational gymnastics meet scheduled for Saturday in Jackson was cancelled.
It will be a busy night for the Trojans on Tuesday, as all teams but gymnastics are scheduled to compete. The Worthington boys hockey home game will be broadcast at 7 p.m. on 104.3 The Bridge.
