Dordt used a decisive first-half surge and a steady second-half response to pull away for an 85–61 victory over Central Baptist on Wednesday night in Conway, Arkansas.
Box Score (PDF)
After a back-and-forth opening stretch, the Defenders seized control with a 10–0 run midway through the first half. The run was sparked by Central Baptist turnovers.
Steven Poulicek ignited the stretch with a transition three,
Connor Millikan followed by knocking down back-to-back perimeter jumpers, and
Judson Henkel capped the spurt with baskets in the paint after offensive rebounds.
Dordt's defense limited Central Baptist to one shot per possession, allowing the Defenders to build a 15-point cushion and dictate tempo for the remainder of the half. Dordt carried a 39–27 lead into the break.
Central Baptist made its push early in the second half, trimming the margin to 41–37 as Dordt went through a scoring drought and the Mustangs capitalized with timely perimeter shooting and trips to the free-throw line.
Dordt answered immediately and decisively.
Jake Proctor halted the momentum with a catch-and-shoot three, and Millikan followed with an aggressive drive and kick that led to another perimeter basket. After a defensive stop, Millikan buried a deep three to push the lead back to double digits, and the Defenders continued to extend the advantage by converting turnovers into points and knocking down free throws.
Over the next several minutes, Dordt stretched the margin from four to more than 15 behind a mix of inside finishes by Henkel, transition baskets and outside shooting, effectively putting the game out of reach.
Dordt will play Benedictine on Saturday, December 20 at 2:00. The Defenders have won three games in a row and are 8-6. Central Baptist slips to 5-9 this season.
THE NUMBERS
Team Totals Comparison
- Field Goals: Dordt 28-56 (50.0%) | Central Baptist 20-51 (39.2%)
- Three-Point Field Goals: Dordt 11-27 (40.7%) | Central Baptist 6-20 (30.0%)
- Rebounds: Dordt 31 | Central Baptist 29
- Turnovers: Dordt 12 | Central Baptist 18
Top Scorers (Dordt)
Top Rebounders (Dordt)
Top Assist Leaders (Dordt)
