Photo via GPAC Sports

SIOUX CITY, IA. (NewsDakota.com) – For the first time since joining the Great Plains Athletic Conference, the #9 University of Jamestown men’s basketball has won a share of the conference regular season title.

Jamestown defeated Briar Cliff 76-69 in another hard-nosed GPAC battle.

The Jimmies took a one point lead into the halftime break, leading 29-28 after the first twenty minutes of play. Mason Walters had 10 first half points to lead the way while UJ as a team shot 35% from the field and went 4-for-15 from long range.

It was a battle until the very end during the second half with both sides grabbing the lead in the final 20 minutes of play. UJ leaned on Walters throughout the entirety of the second half, as the senior scored 23 points for a game-high 33 total.

Cole Woodford had 13 points and Will Cordes added 10 in the victory. Reid Gastner had another big night on the glass, collecting 11 rebounds and scoring nine points. Jamestown shot 49% from the field, 33% from deep, and went 10-17 at the line. Kleinhesslink paced the Chargers with 20 points.

With the win, Jamestown needs a victory next Saturday against Dordt to clinch the regular season title outright. The Jimmies improve to 23-4 overall, 15-4 in the GPAC.