Courtesy of Midland Athletics
HILO, Hawaii — Midland University traveled to Hilo, Hawaii, to compete in the Big Island Holiday Classic, opening day one with a nonconference matchup against No. 1 Grace. The Warriors fell to the top-ranked Lancers, 83-66, marking their third game this season against a ranked opponent.
Grace opened the game with a 13-2 run to take an early double-digit lead. Jeff Rozelle IIIknocked down a 3-pointer, but Grace answered with a triple of its own. Jake Orr and Anthony Simon combined for a 5-0 run to cut the deficit to six, 16-10. The teams traded baskets before Grace took a timeout with a 22-14 advantage.
Following the break, Rozelle III made one free throw before Grace responded with an 8-2 run to extend its lead to 29-17. Orr added a basket and a free throw, but Grace countered with an 8-3 run. As the first half wound down, both teams exchanged points, and Amari Rahaman closed the half at the free-throw line. Midland trailed 42-31 at the break.
Grace opened the second half with back-to-back baskets for a 4-0 run. Rahaman and Nick Dolezal answered with baskets of their own to match the run. Grace followed with a 6-2 surge before a timeout was called. Out of the break, Butch Lordeus scored inside, but Grace answered with a dunk. Lordeus later connected from beyond the arc, only for Grace to quickly respond with a 3-pointer.
Anthony Simon sparked an 8-5 run, prompting another Grace timeout. After the stoppage, the teams exchanged trips to the free-throw line, with Simon and Orr combining for a 4-0 stretch. Grace then went on an 8-3 run to push its lead to 72-59 with five minutes remaining. Midland used another timeout, but Grace closed the game on a 6-0 run, capped by a Trey McCain layup. Grace secured the 83-66 victory.
For the game, Midland shot 23-of-62 (37.1%), while Grace shot 28-of-59 (47.5%).
Butch Lordedus led the team with 15 points, followed by Trey McCain and Amari Rahamanwith 11 points each, and Jake Orr with 8.
“We’ve battled three nationally ranked opponents and learned a lot about our team,” head coach Tyler Erwin said. “I really liked our toughness, and we did some good things defensively today. I know the box score may not show it, but our defense traveled.
“Offensively, in all areas, it wasn’t our finest performance. We struggled to make shots, and I felt their length and size bothered us at times. In games against nationally ranked teams, we have to make free throws. We shot more than they did but couldn’t convert.
“Trey McCain and Anthony Simon gave us great minutes off the bench. We’re continually looking to develop depth from our bench.
“It’s a quick turnaround for us, but we’re looking forward to Nelson University tomorrow.”
Midland (6-7) will have a quick turnaround, concluding the Holiday Classic with a nonconference matchup against Nelson- Arizona (7-7) on Wednesday, Dec. 17. Tipoff is scheduled for 3 p.m. inside the Afook-Chinen Civic Auditorium in Hilo.
