Courtesy of Midland Athletics
FREMONT, Neb. – Wednesday night saw Midland University host conference-rival Hastings College inside the Wikert Event Center in Fremont. After capturing the lead just before halftime, the Warriors saw their shooting go frigid as the Broncos rallied for the 68-61 win in Great Plains Athletic Conference (GPAC) action. With the setback, Midland drops to 4-8 overall and is still looking for their first GPAC win through six games. Hastings improves to 9-2 overall and 3-2 in the conference, snapping a two-game skid.
In the opening half of play, the teams went back and forth with Hastings holding a five-point lead as their high point with 7:15 to go on the clock. At that point, Midland began to rally back with a 5-0 run to tie the game at 27-27. After a made jumper by the Broncos, the Warriors went on a 9-0 to put them up seven. With time winding down, Hastings was able to convert on a three-pointer, making the halftime score 36-32 in favor of Midland.
Both teams struggled from distance in the opening period. Hasting went 5-of-17 while Midland made just one three-pointer on seven attempts. Jake Orr had 11 points at the intermission to lead all scorers.
Coming out of the locker rooms, the script was more of the same as the two squads traded baskets. Midland was able to pull ahead early with a 7-1 run to start, putting them up 10 points at 43-33.
The Broncos responded with good defense and timely shots as they took over the lead, 50-49, just past the midway point in the half at 9:05. They were able to find their rhythm from behind the arc, connecting on three-straight triples to increase their lead to 61-53 with just under four minutes to go.
Down the stretch, the Warriors shooting woes continued. They went 3-for-8 from the field with their last basket coming with 48 seconds on the clock. The Broncos sealed the win with three free throws in the final minute for the 68-61 victory.
Jake Rueschhoff led the way offensively for Midland with 16 points. Jake Orr was held in check in the second half, finishing with 15 on the night. He did pick up his first collegiate double-double, pulling in a team-high 10 rebounds.
“We did some things in the first half and gave us a chance. That’s been our struggles lately with the opening minutes,” said head coach Tyler Erwin. “Tonight, it was the second half that gave us troubles. We just couldn’t get an outside shot to go in. We’ll go back and look at the film, but I thought we took good shots for the most part. Hastings did a good job of packing it in, not giving us anything inside. Anytime you go 2-for-20 from three, and the defense takes the interior, it’s going to be tough.”
“We’ve had good practices and good workouts,” added Coach Erwin. “We’re just needing to find some consistency out of six or seven guys. Our team is resilient and outside of a couple of guys, we’ve got a young team in our locker room.”
Midland (4-8, 0-6 GPAC) will quickly put this game behind them as they prepare for a game at Briar Cliff (5-5, 1-4 GPAC) this weekend. The Chargers, who began the season ranked No. 24 in the NAIA Coaches’ Poll, have dropped three straight following a loss to Morningside (76-70) on Wednesday. Game time is set for 3:45 p.m. inside the Newman Flanagan Center in Sioux City, Iowa.
