Bruins ambush Wildcats in non-conference game

BELLEVUE, Neb. -- BJ Shelton was a perfect 11-for-11 from the field on his way to a game-high 27 points to lead the No. 24 Bellevue University men's basketball team past Johnson & Wales University, 94-62, on Saturday evening in non-conference action at the Gordon Lozier Athletic Center.

With the win Bellevue improves their record to 2-3 on the season while JWU falls to 2-3.

The Bruins raced out to a 20-4 lead by the 14:55 mark as Mike Cardenas made four three-pointers during the opening run and never looked back.

JWU wouldn't get closer than 12 the rest of the way and that came following a three-pointer by Andrew Bonner at the 9:19 mark of the first half. Cardenas was a perfect 5-for-5 from beyond the arc in the first half as he and Shelton combined to out-score the Wildcats 32-28 in the opening 20 minutes.

Jaffrey Stillman pulled down a game-best nine rebounds and Blake Wilder hauled in eight boards for the Bruins who beat Johnson & Wales 46-26 on the glass.

Cardenas totaled a season-high 18 points on the evening which included a 6-for-7 effort from three-point range. Shelton pulled down five rebounds and dished out five assists to go along with his 27 points.

The Bruins had 11 different players score in the game while Nick Hilton and Jykwentin Johnson coming off the bench to add nine and eight points, respectively. The Bruin bench out-scored Johnson & Wales' bench 36-6.

Johnson & Wales was led by Andrew Romero III's 23 points, five assists, and four steals. Bonner dumped in 17 and pulled down five rebounds for the Wildcats.

For the game, Bellevue shot a season-best 54.8 percent (34-of-62) from the field which included a 40.7 percent (11-of-27) shooting effort from deep. JWU was held to 40 percent (24-of-60) shooting from the field  as well as from beyond the arc (4-of-10).

Bellevue made 15-of-18 free throws (83.3 percent) and overcame 20 turnovers on the evening.

JWU turned the ball over 18 times but out-scored BU 19-15 in points off turnovers. Bellevue recorded 21 second chance points on 14 offensive rebounds while the Wildcats manage just six second chance points on nine offensive rebounds.

Bellevue returns to play next weekend when they travel to Mitchell, S.D. for the Beau Keeter Memorial Classic. The Bruins play host #25 Dakota Wesleyan University on Friday, Nov. 11 at 7 p.m. and take on No. 21 Midland University on Saturday, Nov. 12 at 2 p.m.