Sioux Center, Iowa — The Dordt Defender men’s basketball team used a stingy defense in the final 11 minutes of the first half to build what turned out to be an insurmountable lead on the way to an 86-68 win over Northwestern in GPAC play on Wednesday night in Sioux Center, Iowa.
The teams were tied 16-16 with 11:07 left in the first half before Garrett Franken knocked down a three-point basket for a 19-16 advantage. After a Northwestern basket Dordt went on a 9-0 run to take a double digit lead at 28-18 after a Cade Bleeker three-point shot. Dordt’s lead gradually grew to 48-26 with Franken making a mid-range jumper to cap the half at the buzzer.
Jesse Jansma opened the second half with a basket to put the hosts up 50-26. A 13-2 run by Northwestern threatened to tighten the game but six straight by Dordt ended that threat. Northwestern got within 12 on two more occasions but each time Dordt had an answer and won their first GPAC decision of the season with the home win.
Dordt is 5-3 this season and 1-2 in the GPAC.
Northwestern is 5-2 and 1-1 in league play.
