The Briar Cliff men's basketball team built up an early first-half lead against RV Dordt Saturday but were unable to hold off a second half push. The Chargers fell to the Defenders 75-82 in DeWitt Gymnasium.

Quick out of the gates, the Chargers built up a 17-5 lead after just four minutes of play. Nick Hoyt had the hot hand, knocking down three 3-pointers during the early run.

The Blue and Gold held an eight-to-12 point lead through most of the first half, and had seven players record a point in the opening 20 minutes. Quinn Vesey had seven, while getting his teammates involved with three assists. However, Dordt began to chip away at the BC lead and the Cliff held a 38-36 edge at halftime.

The lead would change hands twice in the opening minute, as Dordt took the lead after a Jacob Vis 3-pointer but was quickly matched by a Conner Groves triple. However, that would be the last time the Chargers were ahead, as Bryce Coppock scored an and-one two possessions later to take the advantage. The Chargers kept the deficit within reach, under five points, for a majority of the second half, but were unable to sustain runs falling by seven.

Vesey and Matthew Stilwill paced the Chargers with 14 points apiece. Hoyt and Boerhave added 12 each.

Briar Cliff had an edge in points off turnovers (20-13) and bench points (28-11), while Dordt had more points in the paint (44-32).

The Chargers are back on Ray Nacke Court Wednesday when the team hosts Northwestern at 7:45 p.m.

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