Warriors Fall to No. 12 Dordt in GPAC Showdown

FREMONT, Neb. – Midland hosted No. 12-ranked Dordt University in a Great Plains Athletic Conference matchup on Saturday afternoon. Despite a strong start and several momentum-shifting runs, the Warriors fell to a tough 89-68 defeat.

The Defenders opened the game with a layup, but Jeff Rozelle III quickly answered with a jump shot as both teams traded baskets early on. Midland called a timeout to regroup. After the brief break, Rece Kissinger scored a layup, igniting an 11-2 run that prompted Dordt to call a timeout with Midland leading 17-10. Following the timeout, the Defenders responded with a 5-0 run, including two free throws and a three-pointer. Mason Strong answered for Midland with back-to-back baskets, sparking a 4-0 run. Dordt ramped up the pressure with a 10-2 run, reclaiming the lead at 25-23 and forcing Midland to take another timeout. The Defenders carried their momentum into a 13-4 run after the break. Kissinger and Jake Orr broke the Warriors' scoring drought with a 7-5 run, but Dordt closed the first half with a layup, taking a 45-34 lead into the locker room.

After the intermission, Rozelle III and Orr jump-started the second half with a 4-0 run. Dordt quickly countered with a 4-0 run of its own. Strong's layup brought the Warriors back within nine points as the teams exchanged baskets in a back-and-forth battle. Orr and Strong combined for a 6-0 run, prompting Dordt to call a timeout. Following the break, Dordt turned up the intensity with a 10-0 run, extending its lead to double digits. Nick Dolezal and Orr ended Midland's scoring drought with a 4-0 run, but Dordt swiftly responded with another 4-0 run, forcing Midland to take another timeout. Dordt continued to dominate with a 16-7 run. Midland closed the game with an 8-0 run, but it wasn't enough to stage a comeback as the Warriors fell, 89-68.

Jake Orr led the Warriors with 16 points, followed by Jeff Rozelle III, who posted a double-double with 10 points and 12 rebounds. Mason Strong also added 10 points.

Midland shot an efficient 30-of-60 (50%) from the field, but Dordt held a slight edge at 36-of-70 (51.4%). The Defenders secured the win with seven three-pointers and capitalized on Midland's 20 turnovers, scoring 28 points off the miscues.

"They're the number one team in the country, have good offensive efficiency, and put a lot of pressure on our defense," said head coach Tyler Erwin. "We just didn't make shots today. Over the last 3-4 games, we've been shooting the ball really well, but when we're not making shots, it plays right into their hands. They're already in transition, and they're so good at it. Hats off to Dordt; they're a really good team. The locker room was in a good place after the game because we understand we have to flush this one. We've played so well, winning three of our last four, and we can't let this linger into next week. Today just wasn't our day—that's part of it—but we've got some tough guys, and we'll bounce back."

Midland (9-11, 4-8 GPAC) will travel to Yankton, South Dakota, to take on Mount Mary University (7-11, 4-8 GPAC) in a Great Plains Athletic Conference matchup. Tip-off is set for Wednesday, January 22, at 7:45 p.m. inside the Cimpl Arena.