Dubuque Hempstead overcame a determined Jefferson effort and beat the J-Hawks by three pins Monday in Mississippi Valley Conference boys bowling at May City Bowl.

Hempstead won, 3154-3151.

Jefferson entered the final Baker round game down by 15 pins. The J-Hawks combined to roll a 268, but Hempstead fended them off with a 256 to escape with the win.

Zach Ficken had the hot hand for the J-Hawks in singles, rolling games of 244 and 236 for a 480 that was high series. Victor Baccam rolled a 456 series and Will James a 401.

Hempstead's Phill Breitbach had high game with a 255 en route to a 477 series.

Jefferson held a 55-pin lead after the first round, but couldn't hold on to beat the defending state champs.

HEMPSTEAD (3154): Kody Klein 175-169--344, Tyler Koehler 218-175--393, Phill Breitbach 255-222--477, Kevin Scheffert 203-196--399, Alex Kenniker 151-247--398, Andrew Sanders 211-187--398

JEFFERSON (3151): Will James 166-235--401, Victor Baccam 223-233--456, Zach Ficken 244-236--480, Noah Tiedtke 213-174--387, Christian Hindt 202-172--374, Austin Kluth 173-213--386

First round - Jefferson 2110, Hempstead 2065. Baker round - Hempstead 1089, Jefferson 1041