The Dordt Defender men’s basketball team rebounded from a Wednesday night road loss to win a 73-66 decision over Doane on Saturday afternoon in Sioux Center.
Dordt’s lead dwindled in the second half but the Defenders never gave up the lead in the final 15:53 to win their seventh game of the season.
A three-point basket five minutes into the game put Doane up 12-8 but the Defenders scored the next eight points in taking an 16-12 lead after a Jesse Jansma three-point basket with 11:16 left in the first half.
Dordt maintained a 24-19 lead with 5:02 left in the first half after a Kendrick Van Kekerix basket and it looked like Dordt was going to control the game into halftime. A timeout prompted a 10-0 run by the visitors over the next two minutes and it was still a five point lead at 31-26 with 2:32 left in the half. This time it was Dordt’s turn to go on an 8-0 run to end the half and Garrett Franken’s basket shortly before the buzzer after a steal gave Dordt a 34-31 halftime lead.
Back to back three-point baskets by Doane to start the second half put the Tigers ahead 37-34 but Dordt had an answer. Jesse Jansma knocked down a three-point shot for a 41-39 lead with 16:41 and a basket by Jacob Vis gave the Defenders a 43-42 lead they never relinquished moments later.
Dordt eventually led by 10 but the Tigers battled back to within 69-66 with 2:27 left in the game. Dordt got a defensive stop and Jansma scored on a drive for a 71-66 lead and Jansma sealed it with a pair of free throws with :09 left to make the final 73-66.
Dordt is 3-3 in the league and 7-3 overall while Doane slides to 1-4 in the GPAC and 4-6 overall.
Dordt is on the road to Jamestown on Tuesday night, December 8.
