The Perry girls varsity basketball season got underway Friday evening, and the Jayettes had an impressive showing with a 58-52 home victory over Des Moines North.

Both teams started the game with impressive outside shooting, with Perry connecting on eight three-pointers in the first half, and the Polar Bears answering with seven of their own. North took an early lead in the game thanks to their shooting, and they were up 25-13 after the first quarter. The Jayettes rallied in the second, scoring the bulk of their long-range shots in that period, while also ratcheting up the defense and holding North to just six points. At halftime, the score was tied at 31-31.

The three pointers went away for both teams in the second half, with Perry adjusting to the new flow slightly better en route to a 45-41 lead at the end of the third quarter. The Polar Bears wouldn’t go away though, and got within one point with just over a minute to play in the game. However, junior Kennedy Tunink made the only three for either team in the second half shortly after, and the Jayettes were able to hold on for a final score of 58-52. Perry was led by senior Molly Lutmer, who poured in 23 points in the win, while North junior Ihari Oromo had 22 in a losing effort.

The win gives the Jayettes a 1-0 record and a lot of confidence heading into their next game, which will be Tuesday night at Newton.