Courtesy of Midland Athletics
FREMONT, Neb. – Midland University took on No. 1-ranked Dordt University on its homecourt on Saturday afternoon inside the Wikert Event Center. Dordt started strong and showcased its talents on the way to a commanding 87-50 victory to stay undefeated in the Great Plains Athletic Conference (GPAC) at 15-0.
The Defenders asserted their dominance early, setting the pace with a 7-3 run in the opening quarter. Amidst exchanged points, they widened their lead to double digits with an 8-0 run. Emma Shepard interrupted the Warriors’ silent moments with a layup and free throw. The opening quarter came to an end with the Defenders leading 21-12.
Looking to ignite momentum, Sarah Shepard kickstarted the second quarter with a three-pointer. Dordt intensified its pressure as it embarked on a 21-2 run. They held a comfortable 42-17 lead with 1:56 remaining. Just ahead of the halftime buzzer, Sarah Shepard secured the last basket of the half. The teams went into the locker rooms with Dordt leading 42-19.
After the intermission, the Defenders’ offense remained strong. After a 5-0 run by the visitors from Sioux Center, the Warriors countered with their own 5-0 run. The stretch included a three-pointer by Ellie Bovaird and two free throws from Asia Bryant. Another run by the Defenders, this time a 10-0 stretch, led the teams to a score of 70-37 heading into the final quarter.
Dordt’s offensive onslaught continued as it opened with a 7-2 run. Frankie Klausen halted the drought for Midland with a jumper. Down the stretch, with both teams subbing in their reserves, Midland went on a 7-0 urn that was sparked by Carly Carstens and Delanie Tally. Dordt closed the book with a pair of layups at the end as they earned the decisive 87-50 victory over Midland.
Emma Shepard was the lone Warrior in double digits with 15 points. Sarah Shepard was close to joining her sibling with 9 points. Frankie Klausen led the team with 6 rebounds off the bench in 13 minutes of action.
For the game, Midland shot 16-of-53 (30.2%), while Dordt was 34-of-72 (47.2%). The Defenders forced 28 turnovers which led to 38 points. They also outrebounded the Warriors 45 to 34 and held a 46 to 18 edge in points in the paint.
“They put so much pressure on you on both ends of the floor. They move well, and if you take one thing away then they are hitting 15-foot jumpers,” said head coach Shawn Gilbert after the game. “You can’t get in transitions with them and we turned it over 28 times. I think in the second quarter when they pushed, we were 2 of 11 from the field. Not only were we turning it over and giving them fast break opportunities, we weren’t making shots which allowed them to rebound and go.”
“Little disappointed that we weren’t shooting it better. Some of that was they just are really good. They put so much pressure on you and you have to be able to handle it… and honestly, no one has been able to this year,” added Coach Gilbert. “Again, kudos to them for what they can do, but I thought there were opportunities for us. If we could have cut it early on, it would be a different thought process but we just didn’t make shots. I feel like we still have some winnable games left to go, and it would be nice to finish this season with some momentum. Build into next year with some of these young kids and send some of these older players off on the right note.”
Midland (5-17, 2-14 GPAC) will host Hastings (11-11, 7-9 GPAC) next Wednesday. Earlier this year, the Broncos bested the Warriors 81-62 on their home floor in Hastings. The rematch is set for 6:00 p.m. on February 7 in Fremont.
