Courtesy of Midland Athletics
HASTINGS, Neb. – With Thanksgiving Break approaching later in the week, Midland University traveled to take on Hastings College in a Great Plains Athletic Conference (GPAC) matchup on Tuesday night. After a closely contest start to the game, the Warriors fell behind in the second half, losing 81-62 to the Broncos inside Lynn Farrell Arena in Hastings, Nebraska.
Both teams matched each other’s baskets and energy early on in the first quarter. The Broncos used a 9-0 run to boost their lead to 13-4 before back-to-back baskets by Gabby Beauperthuy, and a free throw from Rubie Klausen broke the Warriors’ scoreless drought. Aryannah Harrison continued to narrow the gap for Midland, scoring back-to-back baskets to bring the gap closer. Hastings started to add pressure, hitting a three-pointer in the quarter’s final seconds, and took a 21-16 lead after the first.
The Broncos opened up the second quarter with a layup, but it wasn’t long before Harrison sparked a 6-0 run for the Warriors to bring the deficit to just one, 23-22. Hastings responded with an 8-3 run to head into halftime up 33-27.
After the intermission, Emma Shepard found herself at the free-throw line with an early foul by the Broncos. She sank both of her foul shots to open the quarter’s scoring and pull Midland within four. The teams began to trade baskets, with the Warriors getting within a possession a handful of times. Down the stretch though, Hastings started to pull away as they went on a 13-3 run to end the third, leading by double figures, 62-46.
The Warriors continued to battle over the final 10 minutes, opening up the fourth quarter with an 8-2 run. The teams started to match each other’s baskets, not allowing for Midland to mount a comeback. Heading into the final minutes of the contest, Hastings used a final surge to seal the decisive win, 81-62.
For the game, Midland shot 24-of-62 (38.7%) while Hastings shot 28-69 (40.6%). The Warriors were ice-cold from behind the arc, converting on just one three-pointer in 14 attempts (7.1%). The Broncos took advantage of 18 turnovers by MU, translating them into 24 points.
Aryannah Harrison and Gabby Beauperthuy lead the Warriors in scoring with 17 points each, followed by Sarah Shepard with 9. Beauperthuy was also the leading rebounder with 8 while Jenna Weber and Rubie Klausen each grabbed 6.
Midland (2-5, 0-3 GPAC) will take a short break before returning to action next week at Concordia (5-0, 3-0 GPAC) on November 29. Tip-off is scheduled for 6:00 p.m. inside the Wikert Event Center in Fremont, Nebraska on Wednesday night.
