The #25 Briar Cliff men’s basketball team used a 17-5 run over the final five minutes of the first half to cruise to an 80-63 win over Midland Wednesday night. The Chargers improve to 15-6 overall (11-2 GPAC) and have won seven straight GPAC road games.
The Chargers scored the first five points of the contest, but Midland quickly answered with a 9-2 run. Behind five 3-pointers from Laurence Merritt and Bo Sandquist the Warriors held a 22-16 lead midway through the half. A Kyle Boerhave bucket, followed by a Quinn Vesey trey, started a 7-0 Charger run. BC outscored Midland by 12 points over the final five minutes to take a 46-38 lead at the half.
The Chargers and Warriors traded baskets for the first eight minutes of the second half, with BC holding a double-digit lead. With 11:03 left, the Warriors cut the Charger lead to 56-50 off an 8-2 run, but BC scored eight straight to extend their edge back to 15 points. Connor Groves hit a 3-pointer to give the Chargers their largest lead of the night 78-61 with four minutes remaining.
Groves led a balanced Charger attack with 20 points on 8-for-14 shooting. Boerhave and Hoyt added 14 points apiece and Vesey chipped in 13 points. Vasa scored nine points and grabbed seven boards. Jaden Kleinhesselink dished out five assists and had five rebounds.
The Chargers shot 57.7% from the field and went 14-for-18 from the free throw line, compared to 35.9% shooting and 6-for-11 from the charity stripe for Midland. BC outrebounded the Warriors 34-31, scored more points in the paint 42-22 and had more bench points 20-11.
Sandquist had a game high 25 points on 8-of-19 shooting with six 3-pointers. Merritt added 14 points and five rebounds. Ryan Larsen chipped in 11 points, five boards and four assists.
The Chargers will look for the 10th straight victory on Saturday in the Newman Flanagan Center when they host Dakota Wesleyan. Tip is set for 3:45 p.m. between the Chargers and Tigers.
