Jamestown, North Dakota — The Dordt Defender men’s basketball team overcame a double-digit first half deficit and won a 78-75 road decision over the Jamestown Jimmies on Saturday, February 19 in Jamestown, North Dakota.
The Defenders got behind 10-0 and had to use a second timeout down 22-8 with 12:10 left in the first half. Over the next 10 minutes the Defenders outscored the hosts 25-15 to get within 37-33 and trailed 39-36 at halftime.
Two quick baskets forced Dordt to use a timeout down 43-36. A Cade Bleeker three-point shot got Dordt within 43-39 and Bryce Coppock got a two-point basket got narrow the difference to 43-41. Jackson Louscher eventually tied the game with a three-point shot 53-53 with 14:56 left but Dordt would get a lead until the 5:52 mark when Jacob Vis got a basket off a give from Josh Baugher. After a defensive stop the Defenders got a three-point play to lead 70-65 and Coppock pushed the lead to seven with 3:59 left in the game.
The Jimmies mounted a rally and Brady Birch converted a field goal with 1:31 left to push the hosts in front 75-74 but Vis answered with a pair of free throws and a miss by Jamestown sent Dordt to the line again where Coppock made two more to go up 78-75.
Neither team scored again as Birch was fouled on a putback attempt of a missed three. The post player missed the first free throw and had to miss the second intentionally. Birch got his own miss and found Mark Kjos who’s three-point shot to tie was offline as time expired.
Dordt was 28-56 from the field and 8-20 from the arc with 14-17 free throws.
Jamestown was 31-66 from the field and 10-25 from the three-point line. Jamestown made 3-5 free throws.
Dordt was outrebounded 33-31.
Bryce Coppock had 23 points and Jacob Vis had 20 points and six rebounds.
Jackson Louscher scored 12 and Cade Bleeker had seven points and five rebounds.
The Defenders are 20-9 overall and finish the year 12-8. Jamestown is 22-8 overall and 12-8 in the league.
NEXT
The two teams will meet in a quarterfinal round game in GPAC Tournament play on Wednesday night, 23 at 7:45 pm.
