No.23 Dordt University lost its first game of the season, falling to Viterbo (Wis.) 81-80, in the Defenders final match-up of the Pizza Ranch Classic playd today on the campus of Northwestern College in Orange City, Iowa.
The Defenders are now 5-1 this season as they head to their conference opener on Wednesday night against Mount Marty. Viterbo improves to 5-2 on the year.
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Ben Fairclough three-pointer gave Dordt its final lead, 75-74, with 3:25 left to play and completed a second half rally that found the Defenders down by as much as 10. Viterbo, however, had an answer as Colin Adams scored on a lay-up from an assist by Garret Locy to give the V-Hawks the lead for good, 76-75.
Viterbo extended its lead to 79-75 on a three-pointer by Nick Malovrh with 1:43 left only to have the Defenders convert 3-of-4 free throws by Luke Ranin and
Lucas Lorenzen to cut the lead down to one. Still down by one (81-80) with 42 seconds left after both teams made two free throws, Dordt got a stop on the defensive end but were unable to convert on the offensive end as
Bryce Coppock's contested lay-up did not fall and the V-Hawks hung on for the win.
Lucas Lorenzen led Dordt in scoring for the second consecutive game with 17 points to go with four rebounds.
Bryce Coppock added 15 points while
Luke Rankin gave the Defenders a third player in double figures with 14, including a perfect 3-for-3 from the three-point line.
A back and forth and high scoring first half ended with the game tied at 46. Viterbo began the second half with their best run, outscoring the Defenders 12-0 for a 58-46 advantage after a three-point play by Ben Olson.
Dordt rallied with a 13-0 run of its own and seized the lead back after consecutive three-pointers by Rankin put the Defenders up 59-58. The lead went back-and-forth betweeen the teams over the next six minutes until the Adams gave the V-Hawks the advantage for good with three minutes left.
By the Numbers:
- Dordt shot 43% from the field, 36% (9/25) from the 3-point arc
- Viterbo shot 49% from the field, 37% (10/27) from the 3-point arc
- Dordt had the edge from the free throw line; 19/27 (70%), compared to 5/10 (50%) for Viterbo
- Dordt had the slight edge on the boards, 41-38
- both Lorenzen and Coppock have scored in double figures in every game this season
- Fairclough matched his career-high with eight rebounds
