DRYDEN - Tyreek Jewell made a sparkling debut for Jamestown Community College, but it was in a losing cause on Saturday.
The 6-foot-2 freshman scored 38 points, but the Jayhawks couldn't hold on to a 35-30 halftime lead and lost to Tompkins-Cortland CC in the season's opener in an NJCAA Region 3, Division III men's basketball game.
Jewell sank 11-of-26 shots from the floor, including 7-of-14 from beyond the arc, and hit 9-of-11 free throws en route to his near 40-point effort.
Jewell was also the leader with 16 rebounds while playing 37 minutes.
It was off the boards where the Jayhawks were hurt most, 58-42, as Tompkins-Cortland reserve Jesse Okkeagu brought down 14 rebounds and scored 14 points in just 16 minutes.
Kenny Stokes was the only other Jamestown player in twin digits with 16 points to go along with nine rebounds.
Keyones Hill had five assists for the Jayhawks.
Five players, led by Okkeagu and reserve Adam Park (14 points) were in double figures for the hosts. Laszio Hajnoczi and Tyseen Lyles divided 24 points while Todd Smith added 10 points.
The score was tied six times and the lead changed hands five times. Eight points was the largest lead by each team.
JCC was outscored, 42-32, in the second half and had its last lead with 57 seconds left, but couldn't hold on as the winners rallied.
The Jayhawks hit 24-of-66 from the field and 19-of-26 from the foul line while Tompkins-Cortland made 33-of-76 from the field and 13-of-31 from the foul line.
JCC was outscored off the bench, 45-7.
JCC opens the home season on Wednesday at 7:30 p.m. against Pitt-Titusville in a non-region game.
JCC (77)
Hill 1 2-2 4, Newell 1 2-2 4, Jewell 11 9-11 38, Stokes 5 4-6 16, Sterling 3 1-4 8, Walker 0 0-0 0, Reyes 1 1-1 3, Forrest 2 0-0 4, Williams 0 0-0 0. Totals 24 19-26 77.
TOMPKINS -CORTLAND CC (82)
Wiechocki 2 0-0 5, Wright 1 0-1 2, Hajnoczi 5 0-0 12, Lyles 5 2-4 12, Reed 3 0-4 6, Redden 2 2-3 6, Nicholson 0 0-0 0, Smith 5 0-1 10, Jackson 0 1-4 1, Martin 0 0-1 0, Johnson 0 0-0 0, Okkeagu 4 6-8 14. Duberry 0 0-0 0, Park 6 2-5 14. Totals 33 13-31 82.
Halftime: JCC 45, Tompkins-Cortland CC 40. Three-Point Shots: Jewell 7, Stokes 2, Sterling, Wiechocki, Hajnoczi 2. Total Fouls : JCC 24, Tompkins-Cortland CC 24. Fouled Out: Stokes.