SANBORN -A great comeback by the women's basketball team from Jamestown Community College (3-6, 15-11) was denied in the waning stages in NJCAA Region 3 Division II action on Tuesday night.
JCC came all the way back from a 17-point halftime deficit and took a 46-45 lead only to see Niagara County CC (3-5, 12-12) score the final three points to wind up with a 48-46 victory.
Taylor Storer made a basket with 1:05 remaining that put JCC in front, 46-45. Then, Nthanda Longwe of NCCC sank 1-of-2 free throws with about 30 seconds left to tie it at 46-46.
JCC took possession and was working for the winning shot when Makyla Drake stole the ball and went in for the breakaway layup with just six seconds showing. Those were the only points that Drake would score.
Once again JCC had an opportunity to win, but a shot was blocked and the ball went out of bounds with little time remaining. An inbounds play failed to get the shot off as the time ran out.
Jessica Curry had 16 points in the first half when the Lady Thunderwolves built up a 31-14 halftime lead over JCC, which went more than 13 minutes without scoring.
Kristine Ripson and Longwe each finished with 12 points for the winners.
Kelsie Beaver scored 11 second-half points, Ashley DePane had nine and Storer eight as the Jayhawks outscored Niagara County, 32-17, in the last 20 minutes.
Storer led the way with 15 points and Beaver finished with 13 points for JCC. DePane went 7-for-8 from the foul line and Beaver was 6-of-8.
JCC plays again next Tuesday at 1 p.m. at Monroe CC.
JCC (46)
Storer 6 2-2 15, Beaver 3 6-8 13. Sheldon 0 0-0 0, Biela 1 0-0 2, Draggett 1 0-0 2, DePane 1 7-8 9, Kickbush 0 0-0 0, Smith 2 0-0 5, Nickerson 0 0-0 0, Sands 0 0-0 0. Totals 14 15-18 46.
NIAGARA COUNTY (48)
Longwe 5 2-4 12, Fiegel 0 0-0 0, Ripson 5 2-4 12, Curry 10 0-0 20, Drake 1 0-0 2, Bojarski 0 0-2 0, Murray 1 0-2 2. Totals 22 4-12 48.
Halftime-NCCC 31, JCC 17. 3-point goals- Storer, Beaver, Smith. Total fouls- NCCC 17, JCC 10.