Matthew Stilwill scored a career high 35 points as the Chargers down the Dakota State Trojans 94-80 on opening night. "I was really happy the way our guys came out and the intensity they played with to start the year tonight," said Head Coach Mark Svagera. "I was really pleased with the way we responded when we were down in the first half, and we kicked our intensity up coming out of a timeout."
 
 
Trailing in the first half with 13 minutes to go, Stilwill converted four straight field goals and the Chargers took a 21-19 lead following a pair of free throws from Garrett Trapp. BCU led by as many as 14 in the half. Dakota State cut into the lead before intermission, and the Cliff took a 44-36 lead going into the break. Briar Cliff shot 59% from the field in the half with Stilwill leading the way with 16 points.
 
Baskets from Tyrus Eischeid and Blake Sindelar helped the Chargers to an 11-point lead to begin the second half. With 15:04 left in regulation, Stilwill got it done on both sides of the floor, recording a steal and turning it into two points on the other end, giving BCU a 59-42 lead. The Chargers led by 28 with eight minutes remaining in the game after a basket from Jaden Huygens. The Chargers then cruised to a 94-80 win to start the season.
 
Stilwill finished with a game high 35 points to go with four rebounds and two steals. He shot 73% from the field and 60% from beyond the arc. Sindelar added 11 points and dished out three assists. Huygens added 10 points, going five-for-six from the field in his first game as a Charger.
 
"Matt Stilwill obviously had a tremendous individual game from a scoring standpoint, but he was also great on the defensive side," said Svagera. "It was great to see multiple new guys step in and play with confidence, there is a lot to build off of."
 
Kenny Haynes led the Trojans in scoring with 15 points followed by Japjit Gill's 13 points. The Chargers held the Trojans to 20% from three and forced 18 turnovers.
 
The Chargers return to action on Monday October 30^th, for a non-conference showdown against Mount Mercy inside the Newman Flanagan Center. Tip-off is scheduled for 7 pm.