Dordt earned an 89–80 road win at Benedictine on Saturday afternoon, using timely scoring runs in both halves to seize control and close out the non-conference decision.
Box Score (PDF)
HOW IT HAPPENED
After Benedictine briefly pulled within 10–7 early in the opening half, Dordt answered with a stretch of offense to create separation.
Nick Hanson scored on consecutive possessions in the paint to push the margin to 14–7, and after a defensive stop,
Ty Van Essen knocked down a three-pointer off a pass from
Dylon Schaap to extend the lead to 17–7.
Benedictine chipped away and eventually moved in front 24–23 midway through the first half, but Dordt responded with a strong sequence.
Connor Millikan sparked the response with a driving basket to regain the lead, followed by a putback and another finish inside.
Steven Poulicek then buried a three-pointer,
Nick Hanson converted an and-one opportunity, and
Judson Henkel added free throws as Dordt turned the one-point deficit into a commanding 37–29 advantage. Van Essen capped the late-half surge with a pair of three-pointers, and
Asa Rogosich drilled a triple in the final seconds as Dordt closed the half on a decisive run to take a 46–36 lead into the break.
The second half featured multiple momentum swings, with Benedictine battling back to tie the game at 73–73 with under five minutes remaining. Dordt answered when Van Essen stepped to the line and knocked down two free throws to break the tie,
Nick Hanson followed with a basket in the lane, and Poulicek drilled a three-pointer to make it 80–73. Van Essen then added a free throw after a defensive stop to complete the critical 8–0 run that pushed Dordt ahead 81–73. From there, the Defenders finished the game at the free throw line.
Dordt is 9-6 and will host Waldorf on Tuesday, December 30 when the season resumes.
THE NUMBERS
Team Comparisons
- Field Goals: Dordt 30-of-57 (52.6%) | Benedictine 33-of-64 (51.6%)
- Three-Point Field Goals: Dordt 11-of-23 (47.8%) | Benedictine 9-of-26 (34.6%)
- Free Throws: Dordt 18-of-21 (85.7%) | Benedictine 5-of-9 (55.6%)
- Turnovers: Dordt 8 | Benedictine 5
- Rebounds: Dordt 36 | Benedictine 27
Dordt Individual Leaders
