Minot High coach Todd Magnuson could have pointed to his club's affliction at the free-throw line in its 61-52 loss to Jamestown on Thursday night.
But Magnuson, whose Majettes led the fourth-ranked Blue Jays most of the West Region contest at Magic City Campus, was more interested in tipping his cap.
"They've got good post players and good players to go with those posts," said Magnuson after his team shot 39 percent (9-of-23) from the foul line. "I knew they'd eventually find a way back and (Jamestown coach Andy) Skunberg made some nice adjustments."
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Daniel Allar/MDN
Jamestown High School senior Siri Jystad, left, blocks a shot attempt by Minot guard Loni Bryantt during their game Thursday at Magic City Campus.
Minot (0-3 overall, 0-3 West Region) led the entire first half and held a 22-14 lead midway though the stanza when Loni Bryantt knocked down one of the Majettes' seven 3-pointers.
But Jamestown found its touch when it mattered most.
The Blue Jays, paced by Kyra Dewald's 23 points, connected on six of seven 3-point tries in the second half. Erin Mullowney's trey at the halftime buzzer cut the Majettes' lead to 28-25 and the momentum shifted in the visitors' direction thereafter.
Dewald connected on two of her 3s in a 12-4 run to open the second half and the Majettes wouldn't lead again.
"We lost sight of (Dewald)," Magnuson said. "Their post players did a good job of finding her."
Early on, though, it was junior guard Jayden Moum filling it up for Minot and ultimately spearheading the Majettes' early charge.
Moum scored 11 of her team's first 16 points before twisting her ankle, and finished with a team-high 14 on the night. Minot, considerably undersized, hit five 3-pointers in the first half.
"They came out pretty hot, give them credit," Skunberg said. "For some reason we're not starting out games very well but we made some adjustments in the second half and picked it up a bit."
Andie Hankla had 13 points for Minot and freshman Cassie Askvig chipped in nine.
"It was our best game of the season," Magnuson said. "But we're hurting in some spots and are still trying to get better."