JAMESTOWN, N.D. (NewsDakota.com) – Jon Purintun was sitting on 0-6 shooting and zero points in the first half of the GPAC quarterfinals against Hastings, but the senior guard dropped all 23 of his team-high point total in the second twenty minutes. He helped Jamestown advance to the semifinals with a 95-86 win.
The Jimmies offense was stuck in neutral in the first half and shot 33%. “He saved us,” head coach Danny Neville said when referencing the monster first half Jack Talley put together. Talley had 17 of his 23 in the first half and also pulled down 10 rebounds, he finished with 17 boards and six assists.
Jamestown was able to keep Hastings at arms length most of the second half after an early 13-4 run. Kevin Oberweiser hit a three to open the half and Isiah Dobson added two more in that quick 13 point spurt.
Purintun got to the rim and made his free throws to squash any comeback attempt by Hastings. The Jimmies shot over 60% from the field in the second half.
Jamestown will host the semifinals on Saturday at 3pm against Dordt. The Defenders outlasted third-seeded Briar Cliff in the opening round, 86-84, and have split their season series with the Jimmies.
Dordt won on a last-second three in Jamestown and lost in overtime in Sioux Center.