From Jamestown Athletics

COSTA MESA, Calif.– Mason Walters (JR/Jamestown, ND) turned in his biggest performance of the young season, scoring 37 points and grabbing 19 rebounds as the 19th-ranked University of Jamestown men’s basketball team defeated Vanguard University 87-76 Saturday night.

A night after nearly half of the Jimmies’ made field goals came from behind the arc against Hope International University, it was the inside game that helped key the win. UJ had a 46-24 advantage in points in the paint while shooting 23 of 42 (54.8 percent) on two-point attempts.

Walters and Devon Schultz (SR/Arlington, MN) combined for 24 first-half points as Jamestown took a 36-31 lead into the break. The duo made nine of their 14 shots while the rest of the team hit on just three of 16.

The Jimmies continued to work the ball inside in the second half, as just six of their 26 shots attempts were three-pointers. Cole Woodford (SO/Redwood Falls, MN) connected on two of three attempts, while Marc Kjos (JR/Lake City, MN) made one of two, and Walters made his only try.

Woodford had 10 in the second half as Walters stuffed the stat sheet with 22. Brady Birch (SR/Melrose, MN) finished with eight in the half, making all three of his field-goal attempts and sinking a pair of free throws.

Jamestown outrebounded Vanguard 46-25, and the Lions were able to score 21 points off 20 Jimmie turnovers. Vanguard shot just 39.4 percent from the floor and led only once, 14-13 at the 8:43 mark of the first half.

Joining Walters in double figure scoring were Woodford with 13, and Birch and Cordes with 10.

UJ’s next game is 7 p.m. Friday at Valley City State (N.D.)