The Dordt Defender men’s basketball team fought off a sluggish start and battled GPAC frontrunner Morningside but fell by an 84-80 final at the DeWitt Gym on Wednesday night.
Morningside started with an 18-6 lead at the 14:45 mark but fought back with Garrett Franken knocking down a three-point shot to start a comeback that eventually saw the Defenders tie it at 29-29 with 4:46 left on a Jesse Jansma three-point shot.
Another Jansma three put Dordt up 32-29 but the Mustangs had an answer and took a 40-36 lead into halftime after a Zach Imig shot at the buzzer.
Dordt tied the game at 47-47 and 49-49 before the Mustangs pushed the lead to 70-60 with 9:07 left in the game. Jansma hit a basket to start Dordt’s comeback and a basket and free throw by Camden Bialas eventually tied the game at 72-72 with 5:31 left in the game. Three more ties ensued at 74, 76 and 78. Dordt had one chance to take a shot with the score tied at 78-78 but a transition three-point shot was short and Morningside scored the next four points.
With under a minute to go Dordt was down 82-78 and Ben Gesink converted a basket. Dordt got a defensive stop on the ensuing possession and with 10 seconds left had the ball with the full court to go. Dordt got the ball into the front court but a baseline drive resulted in a turnover with two seconds left and Morningside sealed it with a pair of free throws.
Dordt is 15-5 overall and 10-5 in the league while Morningside is 12-2 and 16-2.
Dordt will be on the road to face Doane on Saturday, January 23 at Crete, Nebraska.
