The Dordt Defenders held a six point lead with under eight minutes to go but visiting Northwestern controlled the final minutes to secure a 92-79 win in Sioux Center on Wednesday night, November 19.
Box Score (PDF)
Dordt and No. 3-ranked Northwestern traded momentum punches throughout a fast-paced first half, highlighted early by an 11-0 Dordt surge that erased an early 5-0 deficit and pushed the Defenders in front 11–5 just four minutes into play. The run came on threes from
Ty Van Essen and
Steven Poulicek, along with a three from Poulicek that capped the burst.
From there, the half became a back-and-forth exchange: Dordt repeatedly nudged ahead with perimeter shooting, while Northwestern answered with its own steady stream of threes from Kaleb Booth, Isaac Cordes, and Jalen Langsy. The teams traded the lead six times, with Dordt's offensive balance and eight first-half threes helping the Defenders take a 42–40 edge into halftime.
Dordt maintained that edge into the second half and built a 70–64 lead with just under eight minutes remaining behind
Connor Millikan,
Jake Proctor, and
Ty Van Essen. Proctor converted three, three-point baskets in a stretch to help the effort.
The final minutes belonged to Northwestern closed the night on a 28–9 run. At the same time the Defenders struggled from the field while Northwestern stretched the lead. The surge flipped a six-point Defender lead into a 92–79 final.
THE NUMBERS
Field Goals
- Dordt: 27–59 (45.8%)
- Northwestern: 28–66 (42.4%)
3-Point Field Goals
- Dordt: 15–31 (48.4%)
- Northwestern: 17–46 (37.0%)
Free Throws
- Dordt: 10–12 (83.3%)
- Northwestern: 19–22 (86.4%)
Rebounds
- Dordt: 33
- Northwestern: 38
Turnovers
Dordt Statistical Leaders
Points
Rebounds
Assists
NEXT
Dordt will host Hastings on Saturday, November 22. The Defenders are 3-5 overall and 0-2 in the GPAC.
