Photo via Jimmie Athletics

JAMESTOWN, ND. (NewsDakota.com) – The #5 UJ men’s basketball team got off to a fast start at home on Wednesday night but cooled off quickly as Dakota Wesleyan defeated Jamestown 80-68 at Newman Arena.

The Jimmies were cooking early, jumping out to a 12-2 lead before the Tigers’ offense started to find some rhythm. Jamestown turned to the big man Mason Walters who had a big game for the Jimmies, but UJ couldn’t find any help around him the rest of the night.

DWU led Jamestown 34-28 at the end of the first half and Jamestown was able to climb back within a point in the second half, but ultimately the Jimmies didn’t have enough around Walters on Wednesday night in the loss.

Walters matched his career-high with 38 points while also grabbing seven rebounds. No other Jimmie finished in double figures on the night as Jamestown shot just 18% from three-point range. Dakota Wesleyan’s Koln Oppold and Jakob Dobney combined for 49 of the 80 points for the Tigers.

Jamestown drops to 3-1 on the year and 0-1 to start the conference season. The Jimmies head to Nebraska to face Midland Saturday and Concordia next Tuesday. Jamestown then heads to the NAIA’s “The Show” invitational tournament next Saturday and Sunday.