JAMESTOWN, N.D. – Freshman forward Allie Berns was almost perfect Friday evening, scoring a game-high 28 points on 11-of-12 shooting from the field to lead the University of Jamestown women's basketball team to a 63-49 season-opening victory over Dickinson State on Friday night at Harold Newman Arena.

The Jimmies (1-0) and Blue Hawks battled closely in the opening minutes, finding themselves tied 7-7. Jamestown then seized control, finishing the first quarter on a 17-9 run, capped by a three-pointer from Berns, to take a 24-16 lead.

The story of the game was the second quarter. The UJ defense was suffocating, holding DSU to just four points in the entire period. The stifling defensive effort allowed Jamestown to take a 32-20 lead into halftime.

UJ continued to build on its lead in the second half, outscoring the Blue Hawks 19-13 in the third to go up 51-33 entering the final ten minutes. DSU found a spark in the fourth, outscoring the Jimmies 16-12, but the deficit was too large to overcome.

While Berns was the offensive engine, she had plenty of help. Madelyn Malmgren provided a major spark off the bench, pulling down a team-high eight rebounds (four offensive) to go with six points. Daviney Dreckman was a force on the glass with seven boards and seven points, while Samantha Paulsen contributed a strong all-around game with six points, six rebounds, and three steals.

The Jimmies dominated the game inside, outscoring the Blue Hawks 36-18 in the paint. They also won the rebounding battle 44-33, including 15 offensive boards that led to 14 second-chance points.

Dickinson State (2-2), played Friday's game as an exhibition, was led by nine points apiece from J'ell Garfield and Kaylin Garza. Makena Hauge added seven points and eight rebounds off the bench for the Blue Hawks.

Jamestown returns to the court on Tuesday, November 18, hosting Bismarck State College at 5:30 p.m.