Jimmies win GPAC opener over DWU, improve to 7-0

The 10th-ranked University of Jamestown men's basketball team turned a six-point halftime lead into a 19-point edge midway through the second half, defeating Dakota Wesleyan (S.D.) University 77-67 Wednesday night at Harold Newman Arena.

It was the Jimmies' seventh straight win to open the season and first GPAC win of the year. Jamestown will be Midland (Neb.) on Saturday.

DWU led 21-17 after Kallan Herman's three-pointer at the 6:13 mark of the first half. Devon Schultz (SR/Arlington, MN) scored on UJ's next trip down the floor to start a 12-2 run that closed out the half and gave Jamestown a 29-23 lead.

Marc Kjos (JR/Lake City, MN) gave UJ an 12-point lead with 14:34 left, but the Tigers cut the deficit to eight 14 seconds later. Jamestown responded with 14 of the game's next 17 points to go ahead by 19, and the outcome of the game was never in doubt.

Both teams shot over 62 percent from the field in the second half, but the Jimmies outrebounded DWU 15-5 and made 14 trips to the free throw line compared to DWU's three.

Mason Walters (JR/Jamestown, ND) led Jamestown with 17 points and nine rebounds. Joining him in double figures were Kjos with 13, Brady Birch (SR/Melrose, MN) with 12, and Schultz with 10. Kjos dished out five assists and had a pair of steals.