Sioux Center, Iowa — The Dordt Defender men’s basketball team used a balanced scoring effort to beat the Midland Warriors 77-63 in GPAC basketball on Saturday afternoon in Sioux Center. The win stopped a three game Dordt losing streak and evened the Defenders’ record in the GPAC at 6-6.
A Luke Rankin three-point basket put Dordt up 10-5 and the five point lead held to 16-11 when the Warriors went on a 8-2 run and took their only lead of the game on a three-point shot with 10:00 to go in the first half. Camden Bialas answered with a basket and Rankin followed with his second three-point basket of the game. Caleb Harmsen extended the Dordt run to seven points with two made free throws. Dordt’s lead went to 10 near the end of the first half before the hosts settled for a 38-31 halftime lead.
Midland had an early run in the second half and got as close as 41-38 before Bialas converted a three-point play and Josh Baugher helped extend the lead to double digits with a pair of free throws with 14:11 left in the game for a 51-40 lead. Midland was able to mount one last rally, getting within 63-53 but Cade Bleeker converted a basket and Jackson Louscher a three-point shot and the Warriors got no closer than three the rest of the game.
Dordt had five players in double figures led by Louscher and Bryce Coppock with 14 each.
Bialas, Bleeker and Rankin all had 13 points.
Rankin had five assists and four rebounds while Coppock had five rebounds.
Bialas led Dordt with 10 rebounds.
Dordt was 25-54 from the field for 46 percent success and 22-27 from the free throw line.
Midland was 25-63 from the field for 40 percent success and 6-11 from the free throw line.
Midland had a 38-32 rebounding advantage
Dordt is now 14-7 overall and 6-6 in the GPAC. Midland is 14-9 and 5-8.
Dordt will travel to Dakota Wesleyan on Wednesday night, January 26.
