Warriors Open GPAC Play with Win Over Briar Cliff

FREMONT, Neb. – Midland University opened Great Plains Athletic Conference (GPAC) play on Saturday afternoon with a hard-fought 86-76 victory over Briar Cliff University inside the Wikert Event Center. The Warriors mounted a strong second-half comeback, finishing the game on a 21-6 run. Four Warriors scored in double figures as Midland began conference play 1-0, marking its best GPAC start in six years.

Briar Cliff opened the game with a quick 4-0 run before both teams settled into a back-and-forth scoring exchange. The Chargers created separation with an 8-0 run, highlighted by two consecutive three-pointers, to take a double-digit lead within the first five minutes. Jake Orr and Jeffrey Rozelle III sparked a 5-2 run to narrow the gap. The teams traded points until Luke Gdowski ignited a 10-0 run, tying the game at 22-22.

The Chargers responded with a 4-0 run to retake the lead, prompting a Midland timeout. After the break, Orr sank two free throws, and back-to-back three-pointers from Trey McCain and Ryan Larsen fueled an 8-0 run, giving Midland a 32-28 lead with five minutes left in the first half. Briar Cliff answered with a layup and a three-pointer to reclaim a 33-32 lead heading into halftime.

Midland started strong in the second half as Rozelle III hit a three-pointer, and Gdowski added two free throws to put the Warriors back in front. Briar Cliff kept the pressure on, but back-to-back three-pointers by Larsen and Rozelle III prompted another Chargers timeout. After the break, Briar Cliff surged with a 10-2 run to regain the lead.

The teams continued trading baskets until Orr's jumper pulled the Warriors within two, leading to a Midland timeout. Briar Cliff responded with another 10-2 run, pushing its lead to 66-56. Midland fought back as McCain, Larsen, and Rozelle III each drained three-pointers, narrowing the deficit. After another Chargers timeout, Orr scored on a layup and added two free throws, cutting the game to one point with five minutes remaining.

Larsen's basket regained the lead for Midland, and an 8-0 run extended the advantage to 78-70, forcing a Briar Cliff timeout. The Warriors closed out the game by going 8-for-10 from the free-throw line in the final minutes, sealing the 86-76 victory.

For the game, Midland shot 27-for-52 (51.9%), while Briar Cliff went 32-for-63 (50.8%). The Warriors excelled from beyond the arc, hitting 11 of 20 three-pointers (55%), and were sharp at the free-throw line, going 21-for-26 (80.8%). The Chargers made 7 of 26 three-point attempts (26.9%) and shot 5-for-9 (55.6%) from the line.

Orr led the Warriors with 20 points, followed by Larsen with 19, McCain with 17, and Rozelle with 16.

"We just talked about it in the locker room. Our defense dictated our offense—we got stops when we needed to," said head coach Tyler Erwin. "Briar Cliff does a great job of spreading you out, and we emphasized bending but not breaking. We were tough down the stretch, and I'm really proud of our guys. Four players scored in double figures tonight, and Luke [Gdowski] is usually in double digits too. Spreading the scoring helps Jake [Orr], knowing he doesn't have to shoot every possession. He's playing a different role and doing a great job. Jeffrey [Rozelle III] hit big threes, and Ryan [Larsen] made timely shots. Everyone contributed. Starting league play 1-0 hasn't happened in years, and I'm just really proud."

Midland (5-1, 1-0 GPAC) will host Mount Marty University (3-2, 0-1 GPAC) in another conference matchup on Saturday, November 20. Tipoff is set for 7:45 p.m. inside the Wikert Event Center.