The Minnesota West Lady Jays won't be repeating as national champions this year.
The Lady Jays managed just nine points in the final quarter Friday night, and 10th-seeded Jefferson won its third game in three days by knocking off No. 3 Minnesota West 66-60. The Cannoneers will meet top seed and tournament host Rochester for the NJCAA Division III Women's Basketball title at 2 p.m. Saturday.
The Lady Jays had a nine-point lead, 20-11, in the early portion of the second quarter, and one couldn't be forgiven for thinking Jefferson might be tired after its double-overtime upset triumph over second-seeded Hostos the night before. The Cannoneers, though, weren't ready to rest just yet, as three 3-point baskets helped trim the deficit to 24-22.
Later in the second quarter, a three-point play by Katrina Schutz followed by a 3-point hoop from Cecily Geaghan made it 34-26, Lady Jays. Jefferson, though, tallied the final seven points before halftime to make it 34-33 at the break.
The Cannoneers had the upper hand in the first part of the third quarter, moving ahead 46-39, but a 3-pointer from Schutz and another one from Geaghan made it a 46-45 game. Minnesota West ended the period's scoring with back-to-back hoops from Maddie Kamm and Ava Parrish for a 51-50 Lady Jays edge entering the final 10 minutes.
Jefferson, however, went on a 12-2 surge to begin the fourth quarter to lead 62-53. A Schutz 3-pointer got Minnesota West to within 64-60, but those were the last points of the night for the Lady Jays.
Schutz had 19 points, 14 rebounds and three blocked shots in the game, Sadie Krahling contributed 12 points and Ava Parrish and Rhea Tucker each had nine points. Kamm pulled down nine rebounds and passed for six assists.
Minnesota West, now 18-10 on the season, will meet a familiar foe in the third-place matchup Saturday when it faces Anoka-Ramsey. The Lady Jays won the teams' first two meetings, then lost by a single point to the Golden Rams in the Region 13A championship. The game is scheduled to tip off at noon.
