Allie Berns Joins UJ Leaderboard as Jimmies Fall 86-78

Allie Berns delivered a breakout performance, scoring a career-high 34 points and grabbing 10 rebounds, yet the University of Jamestown came up short in an 86-78 loss to Minnesota Crookston at Harold Newman Arena. The Golden Eagles built a 49-34 halftime lead that Jamestown could not erase despite a strong fourth-quarter push.

UMC led by 28-18 after the first quarter and extended the margin in the second, taking a 49-34 advantage into halftime. Jamestown shifted its approach in the second half, putting more attack into the paint after perimeter shots faltered. "With the deep-range shots not working, UJ shifted its offensive focus to the paint." The Jimmies closed the third quarter on a 9-1 run as Haidyn and Halle Crockett combined for seven of those points, but UMC still led 63-49 entering the fourth. Jamestown outscored Crookston 29-23 in the final period but could not overcome the early deficit.

Berns connected on 15-of-22 field-goal attempts, including an 8-for-12 first half for 17 points, and her 34 points tie for the fourth-most in a single game in University of Jamestown history. Jamestown shot 31-of-72 from the floor overall and hit all 13 of its free throws. Still, cold long-range shooting proved costly; the Jimmies were 3-for-26 from three-point range. "There was no quit in the Jimmies as they finished the third quarter on a 9-1 run as the Crockett sisters, Haidyn and Halle, scored seven of the nine points."

Jamestown finished with a statistical edge on the boards, collecting 47 rebounds to Crookston’s 28, and turned the ball over 15 times compared with UMC’s eight. Haidyn Crockett added 15 points for Jamestown, while Jessika Lofstrom contributed 10. The loss dropped the Jimmies to 6-16 overall and 4-14 in NSIC play, ending a two-game winning streak and leaving Jamestown searching for consistency as the regular season heads into its final weeks.

For Stutsman County, the game matters beyond the box score. Jamestown’s women are in their first year competing at Division II, a transition that affects travel, resources, and athlete support systems. Strong performances from freshmen like Berns highlight the program’s potential, but the season underscores the need for continued investment in women’s athletics and student-athlete health services. Local attendance and community engagement at Harold Newman Arena provide social cohesion and bolster mental well-being for players and fans alike, and sustained backing is essential as the program navigates a tougher competitive landscape.

The Jimmies travel to face University of Minnesota Duluth on Thursday, Feb. 12, at Romano Gymnasium. Berns’ emergence gives Jamestown a building block as players and the community look for both wins and equitable support for athlete welfare during the Division II transition.