Dordt led the entire first half, getting up by as many as 14 before settling for a four point halftime edge. Bellevue took a four point lead on several occasions in the second half but Dordt’s last eight minutes were strong in securing the double-digit win.
A Ben Gesink three-pointer opened the scoring in the game and a pair of free throws by Cade Bleeker punctuated a 9-0 run to put Dordt up 12-2. The Bruins cut the lead down to five only to have Dordt run the lead back up to 27-13 on a basket by Dordt’s Camden Bialas. The lead was still 11 at 29-18 with 7:22 remaining but the Bruins went on a 10-0 run over the next two minutes to get within 29-28. Back to back three-point possessions re-established order for the Defenders as Bleeker got a basket and free throw and Bryce Coppock converted his second three-point shot of the half.
The Bruins ended up closing the half on a 7-0 run and Dordt’s lead was trimmed to 42-38 at halftime.
The Bruins continued the momentum into the second half and tied the game at 42-42 and 51-51 before taking the lead at 52-51 with 15:07 left in the game. Bellevue’s lead grew to four on four separate occasions, the final time at 67-63 with 9:22 left.
A Jansma three-point basket started a 7-0 Dordt run and Dordt made 12-16 free throws in the second half, most of them down the stretch, to secure the 87-76 win.
