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Dordt College Men's Basketball vs. Nebraska Wesleyan

January 12, 2008

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(Sioux Center, Iowa) The Dordt College Defenders fought their way to a 65-56 win over the Nebraska Wesleyan Prairie Wolves in Great Plains Athletic Conference basketball on Saturday afternoon at the De Witt Gym. The Defenders never relinquished the lead on the way to the nine point win but the final outcome didn't come without its tense moments.

Dordt got out to a 15-7 lead on a jumpshot by Chad Huenink with 12:28 left in the first half but the Wolves would cut the lead down and eventually tie it on a three-point basket by Kyle Eller. Nebraska Wesleyan's offense was kept alive by Dylan Aylward, a 6-8 post player's outside shooting in the first half. Aylward had eight of his team's 23 points at halftime. A Chad Huenink jumper broke the only tie of the game and a pair of Mark Rowenhorst free throws made it 27-23 at halftime when he bottomed out the pair with :04 left.

Dordt came out strong in the second half, scoring 10 of the first 12 points with Logan Kingma nailing a couple three-pointers for a 37-25 leadiwth 17:08 left. On the verge of blowing the game open, the Defenders weren't able to stretch the lead at all and were up 11 with 13:00 left on another pair of Rowenhorst free throws. Eric Van Maanen kept the lead at 11 with a basket with 12:15 left but the visitors would climb back into the game as they got to the free throw line and converted, eventually getting to 54-52 on a Marcus Minzel basket that tear-dropped in from the lane. Van Maanen converted one of two free throws for the Defenders on the next possession and Dylan Aylward came down and made a driving basket and got fouled to set up a game-tying free throw--which he missed with 3:54 left in regulation. Dordt proceeded to go on an eight point binge over the next 3:17 with Scott Van Zanten making two free throws and a two-point basket during the spurt that ended with :16 left when Roy O'Neil made a two-pointer for Wesleyan. A pair of Mark Rowenhorst free throws made the final 65-56.

Dordt was 21-50 from the floor for 42 percent while the visitors made 21-54 shots fro 38.9 percent. Dordt capitalized on 28 trips to the free throw line for 19 makes while Wesleyan was good for 9-14 shooting from the charity stripe.

The Defenders were balanced in scoring with Logan Kingma scoring 13 and Scott Van Zanten 11. Brian Eekhoff came up with ten and Rowenhorst scored ten off the bench. Michael Eekhoff added eight with seven assists and a steal while Eric Van Maanen had six points and two steals.

Dordt held a 40-33 rebounding edge with Brian Eekhoff grabbing 11 and Chad Huenink came off the bench for seven rebounds with five points.

Wesleyan was paced by Aylward's 17 points while Kyle Eller came off the bench for 14 and Marcus Minzel, Wesleyan's leading scorer this season, added ten. Minzel had eight rebounds and two steals as well.

Dordt is now 11-6 overall and 5-2 and have won three straight. Nebraska Wesleyan is 9-5 overall and 3-4 in the conference.

Dordt hosts Dakota Wesleyan on Wednesday night, January 16 at 8:00.

Other GPAC scores from Saturday:
Dordt def. Nebraska Wesleyan 65-56
Northwestern def. Doane 92-64
Mount Marty def. Midland Lutheran 77-62
Morningside def. Briar Cliff 93-81 ot
Sioux Falls def. Concordia 94-85
Hastings @ Dakota Wesleyan, Sunday.

GPAC Standings
Morningside 7-0
Hastings 6-1
Northwestern 6-1
Dakota Wesleyan 5-2
Dordt 5-2
Briar Cliff 5-3
Nebraska Wesleyan 3-4
Sioux Falls 3-4
Doane 2-5
Concordia 2-6
Dana 1-6
Mount Marty 1-6
Midland Lutheran 1-6

Dordt's Current Record: 11-6 (5-2)
Opponent's Current Record: 9-5 (3-4)

Team 1st Half 2nd Half Final
Dordt College 27 38 65
Nebraska Wesleyan 23 33 56
Dordt Rebounding Leaders Total
Brian Eekhoff 11
Chad Huenink 7
Mark Rowenhorst 4
Jonathon Ferrie 4
Team Total: 40
Opponent Rebounding Leaders Total
Marcus Minzel 8
Kyle Eller 6
Team Total: 33
Dordt Scoring Leaders Total
Logan Kingma 13
Scott Van Zanten 11
Mark Rowenhorst 10
Brian Eekhoff 10
Team Total: 65
Opponent Scoring Leaders Total
Dylan Aylward 17
Kyle Eller 14
Marcus Minzel 10
Team Total: 56
Dordt Team Shooting Pct
Field Goals: 21/50 42%
3-Point Field Goals: 4/11 36%
Free Throws: 19/28 68%
Opponent Team Shooting Pct
Field Goals: 21/54 39%
3-Point Field Goals: 5/12 42%
Free Throws: 9/14 64%

For more information, please contact Mike Byker, Sports Information Director, at mbyker@dordt.edu or (712) 722-6301.