JAMESTOWN – For new head coach Casey Bruggeman, University of Jamestown Men’s Basketball strove to make him an immediate winner.  However, not enough shots fell.

Matthew Stilwill scored 28 points Saturday as Briar Cliff defeated Jamestown 72-66 at Harold Newman Arena.

Silas Bennion, the Jimmies’ leading scorer a year ago, scored 24 to lead the Jimmies and had 10 rebounds for his second UJ double-double.

Bennion made the first of his five three-pointers with 12:44 remaining in the first half to start a 17-8 run that pushed Jamestown to a 24-18 lead.  Bennion hit another three during the run, as did Spencer Barr and Ayden Stainbrook.

Briar Cliff (1-1) followed with the next eight points, culminating with a Jamison Helmers three-pointer.

Stilwill scored five points late in the half as the Chargers clung to a 31-29 lead at halftime.

In the second half, Briar Cliff built a seven-point lead before Jamestown three times came within two points.

Stilwill knocked down a three-pointer, then hit a free throw and Briar Cliff led 57-47 with 8:32 remaining.

Down 61-52, the Jimmies forged a 10-2 run that included a Jimmy Llinas three-point play and four points by Bennion.

Jamestown was still within 67-65 with under a minute left, but Briar Cliff sewed up the game with a Blake Sindelar jumper, two free throws by Stilwill and a free throw by Jamison Helmers.

Ikenna Ude-Smith scored 16 points off the bench for Briar Cliff.  Sindelar scored 11.

Llinas scored nine with eight rebounds for the Jimmies.  Will Cordes and Stainbrook each tallied seven points.  Cole Glasgow scored six and Owen Hektner had five.

Briar Cliff shot 47 percent from the floor and 5-of-16 on three pointers.  Jamestown managed only 36 percent shooting and 7-of-33 on threes.

Jamestown will play an exhibition game Monday against NDSU in Fargo.  Coverage will begin Monday at 6:30 PM on The Voice of the Jimmies, Jamestown 107.1.