In a hotly contested GPAC showdown at the Corn Palace in Mitchell, South Dakota, the Dordt Defenders outlasted Dakota Wesleyan 92–91 in overtime. With the win, Dordt moves to 15-12 overall and 10-9 in the conference standings. The contest was a true game of runs, featuring 17 lead changes and seven ties as both teams battled for postseason positioning.

Box Score (PDF)

The first half was a back-and-forth affair that saw the Tigers jump out to an early 10–5 advantage after Steele Morgan and Easton Neuendorf connected on early attempts. Dordt responded with an 8–2 surge to take an 11–10 lead after Connor Millikan and Jake Proctor hit shots. Dakota Wesleyan countered to push their lead to 25–19 midway through the period, but the Defenders manufactured a 7–0 run—capped by a Brayden Beckering layup—to regain a 26–25 lead. Dordt entered the locker room with a 44–39 advantage, fueled by late three-pointers from Ty Van Essen and Proctor along with a jumper from Millikan.

Dordt appeared to take control early in the second half, extending their lead to a game-high nine points at 50–41 after a Steven Poulicek layup. However, the Tigers eventually reclaimed a 64–63 lead with just over nine minutes remaining. In the final minutes of regulation Dordt regained the lead 81–79 on a Steven Poulicek three-pointer with 1:10 remaining. After Anthony Riggans tied the game for the Tigers, the contest remained deadlocked at 81–81 to force overtime when Dordt's shot at the horn missed.

In the overtime period the teams combined for 21 points. Judson Henkel provided an immediate spark for Dordt with two baskets in the paint, while Connor Millikan added four points, including the go-ahead layup with 16 seconds left to put Dordt up 90–88.  After a Dakota Wesleyan turnover on the baseline,  Ty Van Essen sank two free throws with four seconds remaining to secure the win.
Dordt will face Waldorf to conclude the regular season on Saturday, February 21. Dordt is currently in a three-way tie with Concordia and Briar Cliff for fourth place.

Team Stat Comparison:

• Field Goal Percentage: Dordt shot 51.5% (35-68) while Dakota Wesleyan shot 49.2% (32-65).
• Three-Point Shooting: The Defenders converted 50% (11-22) of their long-range attempts compared to 42.3% (11-26) for the Tigers.
• Free Throw Shooting: Dordt finished 68.8% (11-16) from the stripe, while Dakota Wesleyan shot 88.9% (16-18).
• Rebounds: Dordt held a 34–30 advantage on the boards.
• Turnovers: The Defenders committed 14 turnovers while the Tigers had 11.

• Connor Millikan: 28 points, 8 rebounds, 3 assists
• Ty Van Essen: 23 points, 14 rebounds, 4-of-6 3PT
• Judson Henkel: 15 points, 6 rebounds, 7-of-13 FG
• Jake Proctor: 9 points, 3 steals, 2 assists
• Steven Poulicek: 8 points, 2-of-4 3PT
• Asa Rogosich: 5 points, 10 assists
• Brayden Beckering: 2 points, 1 rebound
• Reed Friesen: 2 points, 1 rebound