Jimmies advance to GPAC semifinals with win over Hastings

The 11th-ranked Jimmie men's basketball team advanced to the semifinals of the GPAC postseason tournament, defeating Hastings (Neb.) College 76-61 Wednesday evening at Harold Newman Arena.

THE BASICS
Final Score: #11 UJ 76, Hastings 61
Records: #11 UJ 24-5, Hastings 15-14
Location: Harold Newman Arena

HOW IT HAPPENED

• Six ties and a pair of lead changes highlighted the first half of Wednesday's game. Jamestown led by as many as five after a pair of Mason Walters free throws made it 20-15 at the 9:19 mark.
• Hastings went on a 7-0 run and took a 22-20 lead after Evan Kingston's basket with 7:36 left, and less than 90 seconds later, opened up their largest lead (26-23) on Tyrique McMurrin's bucket.
• Walters and Jimmy Llinas combined for the next five points as Jamestown once again retook the lead, only to have Reggie Thomas draw Hastings level with 21 seconds left.
• Will Cordes swished a jumper at the halftime horn, breaking the tie and giving UJ some momentum heading into the break.
• The Jimmies rode the momentum of Cordes' buzzer beater and opened the second half with a flourish, knocking down four of their first five shots to go up by double digits. However, the Broncos stormed back with seven straight points of their own, cutting the lead to 41-38 after a three-pointer by Grady Corrigan.
• Cordes made a pair of shots and Walters went to work, turning in one of his best performances as a Jimmie. He scored 20 of Jamestown's 23 points over a span of 9:54 that saw UJ put the game out of reach.
• Cole Woodford reached 1000 career points with a three-pointer at the 9:38. He is the third UJ player this season to achieve 1000 career points and is the fourth current Jimmie with 1000 or more points.

JAMESTOWN STAT LEADERS

• Mason Walters: 37 points, 12 rebounds, 2 blocks
• Will Cordes: 15 points, 3-of-5 on three-point attempts, 2 assists
• Cole Woodford: 11 points, 2 steals

UP NEXT

• The Jimmies will host Concordia (Neb.) Saturday in the GPAC semifinals.
• Game time is set for 3 p.m. at Harold Newman Arena.