Courtesy of Midland Athletics
FREMONT, Neb. – Midland University hosted Waldorf University for a Great Plains Athletic Conference game on Saturday evening during Suhr Scholarship Night, where sophomore Luke Friedrichson was honored. In a battle of the Warriors, Midland came out on top with an 87-72 victory.
Waldorf opened the game with a three-pointer as part of a 5-2 run, while Butch Lordeusscored Midland’s first basket. A layup and free throw from Jeff Rozelle III tied it early at 5-5. Waldorf hit another three, but Rozelle III quickly answered with one of his own to even it at 8-8. The teams traded baskets until Midland called a timeout with Waldorf holding a slight 14-12 edge.
Out of the break, Midland used an 8-2 run with baskets from Trey McCain and Lordeus along with free throws from Amari Rahaman. Waldorf responded with a 5-0 run to regain a 21-20 lead. Rahaman and Nick Dolezal combined for a 4-0 Midland spurt to go back in front 24-21. The back-and-forth continued as Waldorf countered with a 4-0 run before Midland called a timeout trailing 26-24 near the 10-minute mark.
Following the break, Waldorf added a layup before Jake Orr buried a three-pointer, and Rozelle III knocked down two free throws to regain a 29-28 lead for Midland. Waldorf answered again with a 4-0 run, but Lordeus responded with a three to tie it at 32-32. Cole Petersen added back-to-back baskets to put Midland ahead 36-34.
Waldorf countered with a three-pointer to briefly take the lead, prompting another Midland timeout. A Waldorf basket followed, but Petersen and Rahaman fueled a 5-0 Midland run to make it 41-39 with three minutes left in the half. Waldorf tied it at 43-43 before Lordeus finished the half with back-to-back baskets to send Midland into the locker room up 47-43.
After halftime, Rozelle III and Orr opened the second half with consecutive three-pointers, followed by two free throws to spark an 8-0 run and push the lead into double digits at 55-43. Waldorf scored its first basket of the half before Rahaman drilled a three, forcing Waldorf to take a timeout.
Waldorf went on a 4-0 run after the break before Lordeus hit a layup, leading to a Midland timeout. Out of the huddle, Lordeus knocked down two free throws, but Waldorf answered with a 5-0 run to cut into the deficit. Rozelle III responded with back-to-back threes to extend the lead to 68-54 with 12 minutes remaining.
After a Waldorf free throw, McCain hit a three before Waldorf answered with a basket, prompting another Midland timeout. Both teams traded baskets over the next stretch before Waldorf trimmed the gap with a 5-0 run, making it 75-66. After another short timeout, Lordeus jump-started an 8-2 run to extend the lead to 83-68 entering the final minute.
Orr added two free throws and Dolezal scored Midland’s final basket before Waldorf closed out the scoring. Midland claimed the hard-fought victory, 87-72.
Midland shot 31-of-61 (50.8%), while Waldorf went 30-of-69 (43.5%). The Warriors hit 11 threes (45.8%), compared to Waldorf’s seven (25.9%). Rebounding was even at 36-36. The game featured 12 ties and nine lead changes.
Midland had four players in double figures. Lordeus led with 20 points, followed by Rozelle III with 19 points and nine rebounds. Orr added 15 points, nine rebounds and five steals, while Rahaman chipped in 14.
“It’s been balanced between us, and that has been so big for us. We’re sharing it right now and playing good defense,” Orr said. “Butch has made us tough to match up with because he’s our three spot, and most teams don’t have a guy that big and mobile there. He’s worked so hard, and I’m excited to watch him play. He’s coming off an injury from last year, and he changes us. I love watching him play—it’s fun to play with him.”
“We scored it, but they scored it too. It was back and forth. They’re better than what their record shows—they’re athletic, and they can shoot it,” head coach Tyler Erwin said. “Our defensive effort and the adjustments we made after the first half gave us a chance to win. A balanced attack with 17 assists—shared it. Trey has been great and has given us depth. He’s huge when we can bring him off the bench. A lot of communication and maturity. He was solid tonight.”
Erwin added, “Concordia is playing really well right now and putting up good numbers. We’ll have a great game on Wednesday and a good game plan for them.”
Midland (5-5, 3-2 GPAC) will host Concordia University (8-2, 5-0 GPAC) in conference play on Wednesday, Dec. 10. Tipoff is scheduled for 7:45 p.m. at the Wikert Event Center.
