The Charger men's basketball team upset the GPAC leading Broncos of Hastings 73-65 inside the Newman Flanagan Center Saturday afternoon. Big performances from Jamison Helmers, who led the team in scoring with 22 points coupled with Tyrus Eischeid who recorded a double-double with 14 points and 11 rebounds propelled the Chargers to the win.
 
"I thought our guys really competed at a high level this weekend," said Head Coach Mark Svagera. "It was team effort, but I thought Jamison Helmers and Tyrus Eischeid gave us a huge lift scoring and defensively."
 
The Chargers jumped out to a 17-4 lead early after freshman Colby Collison buried back-to-back threes, forcing a Broncos timeout. With 7:31 remaining in the half, Eischeid scored on a jump hook to extend the lead 21-6.
 
The GPAC leading scorer Reggie Thomas began to heat up late in the first half, scoring 12 points and cut the Charger lead 31-21 heading into the break.
 
Briar Cliff started the second half strong, as they scored on three straight possessions courtesy of a three and dunk from Wil Lugar, along with a post-up from Eischeid. Helmers pushed the lead to 19 after he drove to the basket for a layup.
 
The Broncos would not go away quietly, as Thomas brought them all the way back, and they trailed by two following a three from Thomas with 58 seconds left. The Chargers got the ball in the hands of Quinn Vesey Helmers to ice the game at the free throw line. The Chargers went six-for-eight at the line to preserve the victory.
 
In the effort, Thomas led all scorers with 38 points and grabbed 15 rebounds and played all 40 minutes of the contest.
 
Briar Cliff received a boost from Collison who has earned more minutes over the course of the season. He finished with nine points, three rebounds, and one blocking coming off the bench. Lugar chipped in 11 points and went a perfect five-for-five from the field and grabbed three rebounds and three steals. Matthew Stilwill also chipped in 11 points.
 
The Charger offense shot 56% from the field in the contest.
 
"Sometimes when you get out of your routine and have to play a back-to-back because of the re-scheduling, sometimes it can have an adverse effect on your team," said Svagera. "I thought our guys came into the weekend with the right mindset, battled some adversity, I was really proud how our guys proud fought through it and found a way."
 
The Chargers improve to 12-9 (5-7 GPAC) and will return to action this coming Wednesday as the host the visiting Warriors of Midland. Tip-off is scheduled for 7:45 p.m. Read Full Article