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In the absence of Mason Walters, the University of Jamestown men’s basketball team’s John Argue went into take over mode in the second half leading to a career-high of 36 points in a 91-88 win over Hastings College on Dec. 4 at Newman Arena. Argue’s 36 points are in a tie for 7th for most points in a game in Jimmies history. The Jimmies (10-2, 3-2) had four players, Argue, Will Cordes, Brady Birch, and Marc Kjos finish with double-digit points in this game. The Broncos (6-5, 1-3) had four of their own finish with double digits, Dashawn Walker, TJ Babkir, Karson Gansebom, and Phil Cisrow.
The Jimmies had a big task replacing the production of Walters in this game. The junior is third in the nation with 24.2 points per game and is tenth in the nation with 11.8 rebounds per game. As a result, the Jimmies needed to step up to fill that hole, and Argue was up to the task.
“It’s huge, Mason brings a lot of energy, a lot to the table for our team,” Argue said. “So, I knew with him being out, not just one person, we all had to step up and that’s what we did tonight.”
The Broncos got a lot of energy when Phil Cistrow rose up and posterized the Jimmies Devon Schultz to make it a 10-7 game. Late in the first half, Schultz found a wide open Kjos for a corner three to make it 36-31.
With 11:15 to go, Argue calmly hit a wide open triple to make the game 67-60. With 10:40 to go, Walker got a technical foul for talking to Argue after a basket, at the line, Cordes hit both. With 9:01 to go the Jimmies lead ballooned to ten after Argue splashed a three.
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As, Jimmies head coach Danny Neville sensed Argue was in need of a confidence boost, the sophomore was inserted into the lineup for the last two games. His performance in this game made Neville very happy.
“That was awesome. That just tells you how good he can be,” Neville said. “I thought he was really confident and did a really good job.”
The Broncos’ Cistrow hit a three with a minute left to bring it to within one, but Cordes responded with a corner three in front of his bench to put the Jimmies up 89-85.
The Jimmies' response to the loss on Dec. 3 was big for Neville.
“I thought we came out with some more energy and juice,” Neville said. “I thought Lucas Schumacher came off the bench and gave us some great minutes.”
The Jimmies hit the floor again at 7 p.m. on Dec. 7 when they go to Dakota State University. The Broncos return home at 3:45 p.m. on Dec. 11 when they face Concordia University.
HC 88, UJ 91
HC: 41 47–88
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UJ: 44 47—91
Points leaders:
HC: Dashawn Walker 19, TJ Babkir 18, Karson Ganesbom 17
UJ: John Argue 36, Will Cordes 20, Brady Birch 14
Assists leaders:
HC: Babkir 4, Walker 3, Cisrow 2
UJ: Cole Woodford 7, Birch 4, Cordes 4
Rebound leaders:
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HC: Babkir 9, Cisrow 5, Walker 4
UJ: Birch 10, Argue 8, Woodford 7, Devon Schultz 7
