Yankton, South Dakota — Jacob Vis scored a game-high 24 points in leading Dordt University to an 83-73 road win against Mount Marty in a conference game played Saturday afternoon in Yankton, S.D.
The Defenders won for the sixth time in their last seven games, improving to 4-3 in the GPAC, 12-4 overall. Mount Marty slips to 4-14 on the year, 0-9 in conference play.
Vis made 8-of-11 field goal attempts and converted on 8-of-9 free throws to register his five 20-point game of the season. The sophomore pulled down 10 boards as well, yielding his fourth double-double.
Down by as many as eight (20-12), Dordt outscored the Lancers 19-5 over a seven minute stretch to gain control. Baskets from Cade Bleeker and Camden Bialas started the run and Vis closed with the final five points. Dordt buckled down defensively, holding the Lancers scoreless for nearly five minutes during the decisive run.
With the Defenders up by nine, 41-32, at halftime, Dordt and Mount Marty played even over the final 20 minutes. The Lancers made one final push, cutting the Defenders lead down to four (73-69) with 4:48 left. A basket by Vis followed by a Luke Rankin three-pointer extended the Dordt lead back to nine, ending the Lancers run.
Dordt shot 51% for the game and held a slight edge, 29-25, on the glass. Bleeker scored 15 points, nine coming from beyond the arc, and both Bryce Coppock (14pts) and Rankin (13pts) were also in double figures.
Nick Coleman led Mount Marty with 18 points, followed by Tyrell Harper with 17 points and nine rebounds.
Dordt will host a pair of conference teams next weekend, beginning with a match-up against Hastings on Friday, Jan.7 at 7pm. The Defenders will then host the University of Jamestown on Saturday, Jan. 8.
