Brandon Carr/MDN Minot High junior guard Deonte' Martinez (23) attacks the rim Saturday evening against Jamestown. The Magi won 71-64.

The No. 4-ranked Minot High School boys basketball team stunned previously unbeaten No. 1 Jamestown 71-64 in a critical WDA conference game Saturday evening in Minot.

The highly-anticipated matchup between the Magi (5-1, 4-1 WDA) and reigning state champion Blue Jays (5-1, 4-1 WDA) had the feels of a heavyweight title bout.

Jamestown came into Minot with a 32-game winning streak that dated back to the start of the 2018-19 season.

The Magi came out of the gates on fire with junior guard Deonte’ Martinez controlling the tempo. Martinez scored at will during the opening minutes. The first few possessions resulted in a drive to the basket for the casual layup, or he would pull up for a fadeaway jumper.

“Going in, we’ve prepared for this game,” said Martinez, who finished with 23 points, seven assists and six rebounds. “Coach always gives us a really good preparation. He has the best preparation and scouting by far. The time he puts in is really good.”

Once the lead started to reach double-digits, Jamestown’s defense started to cheat inside, which left three-point specialist Jaxon Gunville (who set the record last Friday for most made 3-pointers at Minot High) open from deep.

Martinez and Gunville combined for 47 points, as the backcourt duo helped Minot take a 47-29 lead into the half.

Gunville shot 9-for-19 (6-for-11 on 3-pointers) for a team-high 24 points. Easton Larson provided 10 points and seven rounds.

Jamestown came out in the second half looking like the defending state champs, cutting the lead to nine with under eight minutes left in regulation. The Blue Jays held the Magi to 24 points in the second half.

Boden Skunberg led all scorers with 28 points, and Brooks Carroll chipped in with 15 more points for Jamestown.

“We told them they were going to make a run,” MHS head coach Dean Winczewski said. “We got a little tentative. They’re talented and well coach. They are No. 1 for a reason.”

Martinez added: “When we went into the locker room, we all said that it’s just one half. The score is 0-0. We have to keep it up. Bring the same energy in the second half, if not more, and finish the game.”

What was once a 25-plus point lead dwindled to five with 47 seconds remaining. The momentum had turned.

The once raucous crowd was tense as the Blue Jays stormed back. The Magi players started to feel the win possibly slipping away.

“Some of us lost focus as fatigue started to set in,” Martinez said. “We kept our composure, especially when Johnny (Butz) knocked down those clutch free throws in the end. It really helped up.”

Winczewski regathered and regrouped the Magi by calling a much-needed timeout. That’s when John Butz, who later got fouled on three consecutive plays, went to the line and knocked down a pair of free throws to seal the game.

“We have great crowds,” Winczewski said. “I thought our kids came out and competed extremely hard. We got a little foolish in the last eight minutes. We had a chance to maybe extend the lead a little bit, but we told them they were going to make a run, and we did enough. It’s an exciting win for us. Now we’re back to work.”

Martinez added: “Coach is really proud, but we have to keep working. It’s just one game, and we have to keep getting better for March.”

Minot High will have a little bit of time to celebrate the victory as the Magi will next travel to Watford City on Jan. 3. Tipoff at 6 pm at the Rough Rider Center.