Jimmies lock up defensively in 71-57 win at Hastings
Jan. 21—HASTINGS, Neb. — The University of Jamestown put on a defensive clinic holding the Hastings Broncos to 57 points in a 71-57 win on Saturday, Jan. 21, at Hastings' Farrell Arena.
The Jimmies forced 15 turnovers in the win, scoring 20 points off those turnovers and grabbed 26 defensive rebounds. The Jimmies also had nine steals and three blocks. The Broncos' 57 points are the least the Jimmies have given up this season and the least they've given up since Feb. 26, 2022.
"I think we're good offensively and that's what we've always been known for but now that we're defending and guarding when we're doing that, we're winning games," Jimmies head coach Danny Neville said.
Just under five minutes into the first half, the Jimmies' Mason Walters hit a three to push the Jimmies in front 8-7. That started a 12-3 run from the Jimmies (17-3, 9-3) over the next four minutes to go up 20-10. The Broncos' Danilo Matovic hit a layup to cut the deficit to 24-20 with 7:06 to go in the first half. The Jimmies' Will Cordes hit a jumper to push the lead out to 26-20. Over the last seven minutes of the first half, the Jimmies would pull away taking a 40-24 lead into the break.
The Jimmies opened the second half on a 7-0 run, drawing a Broncos (13-7, 6-6) timeout. Out of the timeout, the Broncos went on an 11-0 run to cut the deficit to 49-31 with 15:10 to go in the game. After Matovic hit a layup to cut the deficit to 52-37, the Jimmies' Cole Woodford splashed a three to push the lead out with 12:32 to go in the game. From there the Jimmies put the game away with a run that saw them take as large as a 27-point lead midway through the second half.
"I thought our defensive effort was there and that's going to help us when maybe we don't shoot well or don't play well," Neville said. "I thought our guys did a good job buying into that."
The Jimmies are back in action at 7:45 p.m. on Wednesday, Jan. 25, when they host Mount Marty.
Ahead of the game against the Lancers, Neville said he wants his team to continue to work on their motion offense and their ball movement.
UJ 71, HC 57
UJ: 40 31 — 71
HC: 24 33 — 57
Points leaders:
UJ: Mason Walters 23, Will Cordes 20, Colby Vazquez 7, Cole Woodford 7, Reid Gastner 5
HC: Danilo Matovic 21, Reggie Thomas 11, Grady Corrigan 7
Assists leaders:
UJ: Walters 4, Woodford 4, Cooper Olson 3
HC: Corrigan 3, Thomas 2, Tyrique McMurrin 1, Evan Kingston 1
Leading rebounders:
UJ: Walters 6, Olson 6, Gastner 4, Jimmy Llinas 4, Vazquez 3
HC: Matovic 7, Corrigan 4, Thomas 3, Phil Cisrow 3, Ashton Valentine 3, Evan Kingston 2
