Courtesy of Midland Athletics
FREMONT, Neb. — Midland University hosted Hesston College in a nonconference matchup Tuesday night, closing out the 2025 calendar year and the nonconference schedule with a 94-75 victory over the Larks. The Warriors showcased a balanced offensive attack, placing six players in double figures, while Jeff Rozelle III recorded a career-high 18 rebounds.
Nick Dolezal and Jake Orr opened the scoring with baskets for an early 4-0 lead before Hesston responded with a 5-0 run. Orr then sparked a 10-0 run for the Warriors, capped off by a Dolezal dunk that energized the home crowd. Hesston ended its scoreless stretch with back-to-back baskets, but Rozelle answered with a basket and a three-pointer to extend Midland’s lead to 19-9.
Trey McCain followed with a basket and a free throw to push the advantage to 24-11. After another Hesston basket, Cole Petersen ignited a 7-0 run as Midland extended its lead to 31-14 with four minutes remaining in the half. The teams traded baskets and trips to the free-throw line down the stretch, with McCain and Dolezal each scoring before halftime as Midland took a 42-25 lead into the locker room.
Rozelle and Dolezal opened the second half with layups before Hesston converted from the free-throw line. After a brief exchange of baskets, Hesston went on a 9-4 run. Jake Orrknocked down a free throw before Anthony Simon sparked a 7-0 run for the Warriors, extending Midland’s lead to 72-42.
Following a Hesston timeout, the Larks connected on free throws, while Rozelle added one of his own. After a Hesston three-pointer, Petersen responded with back-to-back baskets, and Brayden Thompson drained a three to push the lead to 80-52. Petersen later added a one-handed dunk to maintain Midland’s momentum as the Warriors built a 90-58 advantage with four minutes remaining.
Hesston closed the game with a 15-2 run, highlighted by four three-pointers, but Midland remained in control. Brody Travis and Luke Friedrichsen each made a free throw as the Warriors secured the 94-75 win.
McCain led the Warriors with 15 points, followed by Rozelle’s double-double of 14 points and a career-high 18 rebounds. Dolezal added 14 points, Thompson finished with 13, Petersen recorded 12, Orr chipped in 11, and Simon added nine.
Midland shot 36-of-62 (58.1%) from the field, while Hesston finished 26-of-57 (45.6%). The Warriors also held a decisive 44-23 rebounding advantage.
“We’ve been back in the gym for a few days after our trip and the holidays, and I really liked our focus coming into tonight,” head coach Tyler Erwin said. “We thought we could impose our physicality and play inside-out. Offensively, we had 21 assists, but we still turned it over too much. Our mindset is never too high, never too low, and never looking at the scoreboard. We have a tough stretch coming up late January and February, so protecting home court is important. I liked our defensive focus, our culture, and the contributions from our bench tonight.”
Midland (8-7, 4-3 GPAC) will host Dakota Wesleyan (7-8, 2-5 GPAC) on Saturday, Jan. 3. Tipoff is scheduled for 3:45 p.m. inside the Wikert Event Center in Fremont, Nebraska.
