Sioux Center, Iowa — The Dordt Defender comeback effort came up just short on Saturday evening, November 20, in GPAC play at the De Witt Gym in Sioux Center. The Defenders battled back from a ten point deficit in the second half to have a chance to tie or take the lead in the closing moments of the game before succumbing 84-82.
Dordt trailed 7-0 early in the game before Cade Bleeker got the Defenders going with a pair of three-point shots. The Defenders were fighting from behind most of the half and led briefly after a 8-0 run capped by a Bleeker three-point shot made the score 40-38 for Dordt with 4:09 left in the half. Concordia answered the run with one of their own and never trailed again, taking a 46-45 halftime lead.
Concordia opened the second half with a basket and Bryce Coppock tied it with a three-point basket a the 18:57 mark 48-48. The Bulldogs took a 66-56 lead and the scored remained there from the 13:11 mark until the 11:14 when Jake Vis made one of two free throws. The Bulldogs withstood the run for a 76-66 lead in the second half and the difference was still eight with 2:26 left in the game at 82-74. Luke Rankin made a long three and Jacob Vis had a three-point play after a Concordia missed free throw.
Concordia answered with a basket for an 84-80 lead but Vis had a tip-in to get within 84-82. After a missed shot by Concordia Dordt secured the rebound and eventually called a timeout. Dordt worked the ball into the lane but a shot to tie it was short and Concordia was fouled. A missed free throw gave Dordt a chance but a long pass after timeout was off the mark and Concordia survived for the two-point win.
Dordt was 32-63 from the field and 8-19 on three-point shots with 10-16 success from the free throw line.
Concordia was 34-67 from the field and 10-26 from the arc with 6-10 free throw shooting. Dordt had a 37-33 rebounding advantage. Dordt had seven turnovers to six for the Bulldogs.
Jacob Vis had 21 points and 13 rebounds.
Cade Bleeker added 15 points and 11 rebounds while Bryce Coppock had 14 points and Jackson Louscher scored 10.
Dordt will travel to face Briar Cliff on Tuesday night.
