Oskaloosa, Iowa — Dordt University’s comeback bid fell just short in falling to No.22 Indiana University – Kokomo, 82-80, in the opening game of the William Penn Bracket of the 2022 NAIA Men’s Basketball National Championship – Opening Round.
The Defenders end the season with a 20-11 record and IU-Kokomo advances to play the winner of the No.1 William Penn / Bellevue game on Saturday, March 12, with a berth to the final site, Kansas City, on the line.
Jacob Vis led Dordt with 18 points and seven rebounds, one of five Defenders to score in double figures. Bryce Coppock contributed 13 points, Cade Bleeker netted 12, all coming from beyond the arc, and both Luke Rankin and Camden Bialas netted 10.
Down by nine (46-37) at halftime, the Defenders found themselves behind by 18 (68-50) after IU-Kokomo finished off a 10-4 run on a dunk by DeSean Hampton with 12:55 left in the contest.
Forced into taking a timeout and with the game in balance, Dordt responded with a 15-0 run where they held the Cougars scoreless for over four minutes. A three-pointer by Caleb Harmsen ignited the rally while Coppock, Rankin and Vis all scored from inside the lane. Two free throws from Josh Baugher completed the run and brought Dordt to within three, 68-65.
The game remained tight the rest of the way and after a lay-up by Bialas, Dordt was within two (74-72) at the five minute mark. A basket by IU-Kokomo post Hunter White put his team in front 81-74 with three-minutes left but the Defenders answered with a 6-1 run on lay-ups by Vis (2) and Rankin to make the score 82-80 with 1:19 left.
Both teams went scoreless over the final 79 seconds as the Defenders missed on three chances to tie or take the lead, the final coming on a side inbounds play with under five seconds to play.
Dordt shot 53% for the game, nearly 60% over the final 20 minutes. The Defenders were outrebounded 33-28 but committed four less turnovers (14-10).
Desean Hampton, the River States Conference Player of the Year, led the Cougars with 22 points and 13 rebounds. Trequan Spivey added 17 points and five assists. IU Kokomo shot 52% for the game and made 56% of its three-point attempts (11/20).
Dordt fell behind early as the Cougars raced out to a 20-6 lead, hitting on four three-pointers early. Still down by 14 (32-18), Dordt rallied with a 12-2 run behind the shooting of Bleeker and Trey Hinote, who combined to knock down three three-pointers.
The Defenders end the season with a 20-11 record.
