Five Chargers scored in double-digits Thursday night, led by Matthew Stilwill's 26 points as the Briar Cliff men's basketball defeated RV Northwestern 100-89. BC hit the 100-point mark for the first time this season and connected on double-digit 3-pointers for the 11th time.
 
"Really proud of the guys effort tonight," said head coach Mark Svagera. "We really shared the ball and worked for great possessions offensively. When Northwestern took the lead in the second half, I thought we played with a real toughness and sense of urgency to find a way to get it back and close it out."
 
The Charger offense was clicking in the first half, connecting on 66.7% of their shot attempts and nearly hitting the double-digit 3-point mark going 9-of-14 from deep. Briar Cliff held a 50-39 lead after 20 minutes of play, marking their most points scored in a first half this season.
 
The Charger starters shot a combined 13-for-17 in the first half, led by Quinn Vesey's 13 points on 4-of-4 shooting with three triples, two rebounds and one steal. Stilwill also scored in the double-figures with 11 points and three rebounds.  
 
The Red Raiders relied on the output from Dillon Carlson and Craig Sterk in the first half as they combined for 31 points.
 
Briar Cliff took a 14-point lead at the 6:56 mark after a 12-5 run, capped off by back-to-back Vesey 3-pointers. The Chargers scored all of their points of treys during the run.
 
Nick Hoyt gave the Cliff their largest lead of the afternoon, 17, with a 3-pointer, but the Red Raiders were able to cut the lead to 11 at the half.
 
The Red Raiders made their push midway through the second half, taking the lead briefly from BC 58-57. However, the Cliff responded with three straight 3-pointers to push their lead back to eight.
 
While the Charger lead was over 10 points in the final minutes, the Red Raiders connected on four triples in the final two minutes. The Chargers iced the contest at the free throw line, going 14-of-15 from the free throw line with Vesey converting 6-of-7.
 
Stilwill was 8-of-15 from the field and 8-for-8 from the free throw line on his way to 26 points. Vesey followed with 19 points, two rebounds and two assists.
 
Conner Groves and Blade Sindelar added 12 and 10 points, respectively off the bench and combined for five 3-pointers.
 
The Chargers are off this weekend and will return to action next Wednesday against Midland in Fremont, Nebraska.