Mitchell, South Dakota — Briar Cliff men’s basketball notched their fourth win in a row Wednesday night, 76-64 over Dakota Wesleyan. The 12-point victory marks the Chargers first win at the Corn Palace since the 2017-18 season.
Dakota Wesleyan shot out of the gates scoring the first 10 points of the contest, forcing a BCU timeout. The Chargers responded with a 15-3 run over the next six minutes, taking a 15-13 lead with 10 minutes left in the half. Conner Groves scored 10 of the final 14 first half Charger points to take a 37-33 edge at the break.
Groves had a team high 15 points on 6-of-8 shooting with three treys. BC did most of their scoring down low with 22 points in the paint.
The Chargers extended their lead to double digits for the first time with a 8-2 run to open the second half. BC held onto a double-digit lead at the midway point of the second half behind 11 points from Jaden Kleinhesselink. The Cliff held a double-figure lead for all but three possessions over the final 10 minutes of play.
Kleinhesselink went 8-for-13 in the second half with 17 points, while Quinn Vesey added 10 points and two treys.
The Tigers entered tonight’s contest allowing just 55.8 points per game at the Corn Palace and BC’s 76 points are the most by an opposing team this season. The Chargers handed out 15 assists on 30 field goals and had a season low four turnovers.
Kleinhesselink and Groves paced the Cliff with 24 and 17 points, respectively. Vesey added 12 points, four rebounds and three steals. Quinten Vasa dished out seven assists and had five rebounds. Matthew Stilwill added seven points and five boards.
BC had an advantage in points off turnovers 15-3, points in the paint 42-14 and committed less turnovers 4-10. The Chargers shot 57.7% from the field and 44.4% from deep, while DWU was 44.4% from the floor and 40.7% on 3-point attempts.
Koln Oppold led the Tigers with a 13-point, 10 rebound double-double. Oppold went 6-for-13 from the field and had five assists. Teegan Evers (11) and Sawyer Schultz (10) also reached double digit scoring.
The Chargers are now 10-6 (6-2 GPAC) and have won six of their last seven games. BC returns to the hardwood Saturday, hosting Doane for a 3:45 GPAC matchup.
