Jimmies prevail over Bellevue, 86-82

Box Score
NSAA Standings

BELLEVUE, Neb. -- Four Bruins scored in double figures but it wasn't enough as the visiting University of Jamestown scored an 86-82 victory over No. 20 Bellevue University Saturday night in North Star Athletic Association action at the Gordon Lozier Athletic Center. 

Bellevue fell to 17-9 on the season and 5-3 in the NSAA. Jamestown improved to 13-9 overall and 5-4 in league play. 

Neither team led by more than seven points in the fast-paced contest. 

Nicolus Guzman led the Bruins with 21 points and five rebounds. Mike Cardenas scored 19 points and was 5-of-6 from 3-point range. Marquis Aaron finished with 14 points and six rebounds. Jerred Cook was the fourth Bruin in double figures, nabbing 12 points and four boards. 

Brequan Tucker nailed six 3-pointers, pacing the Jimmies with a game-high 27 points, to go along with nine rebounds and a pair of assists. Jake Hagler added 20 points and six rebounds. 

After the Bruins raced out to an early 6-0 lead to start the game, neither team led by more than four points the remainder of the first half. Bellevue shot 64 percent from the field the opening period, led by Cardenas with 11 points on 3-of-3 shooting from behind the arc. Aaron registered 10 points and four rebounds as BU grabbed a 45-42 halftime advantage.

Tucker, Logan Brown and Hagler each poured in 10 points in the first period as the Jimmies shot 51.5 percent from the field. 

UJ used two-straight 3-pointers to highlight a 10-2 run midway through the second half, erasing a five-point deficit, taking a 63-60 lead with 9:20 remaining in the contest. 

Eight points from Tucker sparked an 11-5 UJ run as the Jimmies pulled away to a 77-70 advantage at the 5-minute mark. It marked the largest lead of the game for either team.

Two free throws by Riley Henderson gave UJ an 83-77 lead with 1:15 remaining. The Bruins responded with three-consecutive free throws to pull to within three at 83-80 with 44 seconds left in the contest. 

UJ put the game away on a layup by Christian Kvilvang and a free throw by Hagler to seal the 86-82 victory. 

The Bruins will travel across town on Wednesday, Feb. 10, for a 7 p.m. non-conference contest at Grace University in Omaha.