Courtesy of Midland Athletics
CRETE, Neb. — Midland University took the court for the final time this season Saturday afternoon. In a game that featured seven ties and six lead changes, an efficient second half lifted Doane to a 95-61 win over the Warriors.
Doane jumped out to a 5-0 lead before a 3-pointer by Addy Offutt put Midland on the board and cut the deficit to two. Another 3-pointer by Offutt gave the Warriors their first lead, but the Tigers quickly responded with a free throw from Megan Chambers with 7:30 remaining in the first quarter to tie the game at 6-6.
The teams traded baskets before both offenses briefly stalled. A 3-pointer by Rylie Rice ended the scoring drought and pushed Doane’s lead to four. Midland answered with a 3-pointer from Allie Hakimzadeh to trim the deficit to 13-12. The two sides continued to exchange baskets, but Doane maintained a slight edge, prompting a Midland timeout. Following the break, two free throws from Offutt helped the Warriors regain the lead with one minute left in the quarter. Doane closed the period on a 5-3 run to take a 24-23 advantage into the second.
Two free throws from Emma Vander Plaats and a layup by Chambers helped the Tigers extend their lead early in the second quarter. A 3-pointer by Ellie Bovaird tied the game at 28-28 before a quick 7-0 run gave Doane a 35-28 lead with 7:15 remaining in the half. A jumper from Offutt cut the deficit to five, but the Tigers answered with another basket from Chambers.
Midland continued to battle as a 3-pointer from Hakimzadeh and a jumper by Cierra Barbarytrimmed the deficit to two. The teams traded baskets down the stretch, and Doane maintained its lead. A free throw from Danielle Bruce with 1:25 remaining cut the deficit to 41-38. The Tigers closed the half on a 7-0 run to carry a 48-38 lead into the break.
Following the intermission, Doane continued to build momentum. A quick 5-0 run stretched the lead to 53-38 early in the third quarter. Two free throws from Ciera Jorge cut the deficit to 13, but a 3-pointer by Rice helped the Tigers maintain control. Midland stayed within striking distance after two free throws from Offutt, but another 5-0 run extended Doane’s lead to 63-42 with 5:10 remaining in the third.
After a jumper from Keyra Kruse, the Warriors’ offense stalled. The Tigers used an 18-0 run over the next four minutes to extend their lead to 81-44. A layup and free throw by Bovaird ended the drought, but Doane led 81-47 entering the fourth quarter.
The Tigers opened the final period on an 8-0 run, prompting another Midland timeout. After the break, a 3-pointer from Bovaird cut the deficit to 91-50 with 5:45 remaining. A pair of layups from Jorge, along with a 3-pointer and jumper from Offutt, trimmed the deficit to 32, but Doane outscored Midland 4-2 down the stretch to secure the win.
“Today’s game, we had to fight throughout,” coach Jazymne Laskey said. “A lot of our returning athletes, who are growing, showed fight all year through a lot of circumstances. They are some tough cookies, and I respect that.
“As for our seniors, they’ve been through adversity being part of a rebuild. I think they did a great job building the pillars for this program and setting the tone of what a Warrior looks like. I’m in awe of all these young ladies.”
Offutt led Midland with 21 points. Bovaird added 14 points and 10 rebounds.
Midland shot 20 of 57 (35.1%) from the field, while Doane finished 31 of 58 (53.4%).
