Warriors Rally in Second Half to Defeat Clarke

FREMONT, Neb. – Midland University stepped away from conference play on Friday, hosting Clarke University inside the Wikert Event Center. After a back-and-forth battle featuring 15 ties and 10 lead changes, the Warriors buckled down in the final moments of the second half to secure an 81-74 victory over the Pride.

The game opened with Jeff Rozelle III and Jake Orr scoring back-to-back baskets for Midland. Clarke quickly responded with a three-pointer, setting the tone for a tightly contested first half. The teams traded points early, with Midland holding a slim one-point advantage, 11-10, prompting an early timeout.

Following the break, Clarke went on an 8-5 run to take an 18-16 lead, leading to another Midland timeout. Out of the huddle, Ryan Larsen tied the game at 18-18 with a jump shot, and the teams continued to exchange baskets. Clarke briefly regained the lead with consecutive layups, forcing another timeout. After the break, Rozelle III connected on a jumper to tie the game at 35-35 with just over two minutes remaining.

The Pride then scored on a three-pointer and a free throw to go up by four. Midland responded at the free-throw line to trim the deficit to one, but Clarke sank the final basket of the half, taking a 41-38 lead into the locker room.

The second half began with Orr hitting a jumper, setting the stage for another tightly contested period. The Warriors regained the lead, 52-51, after back-to-back baskets by Trey McCain and Orr. Clarke answered with a 5-2 run to reclaim the advantage, prompting a Midland timeout.

Cole Petersen then sparked a 6-2 run for the Warriors, giving them a 60-58 edge as the game entered the final 10 minutes. Clarke continued to apply pressure with an 8-1 run, but Midland remained resilient. With under three minutes to play, Luke Gdowski and Orr combined for a 5-0 spurt, forcing a Clarke timeout.

After the timeout, the Pride hit a three-pointer, but McCain responded with one of his own to put Midland ahead 79-74 with less than a minute remaining. Gdowski sealed the win at the free-throw line as the Warriors completed the comeback victory.

Midland shot 33-of-61 (54.1%) from the field, while Clarke finished 27-of-67 (40.3%). The Warriors held a 42-33 advantage in rebounds.

Luke Gdowski led all scorers with 20 points. Cole Petersen added 15, Ryan Larsen tallied 12, and Jake Orr chipped in 11. Jeff Rozelle III recorded a double-double with 10 points and 13 rebounds.

"The first half was one of those halves you want to forget. We were better in the second half and in the final few minutes we were really good," commented head coach Tyler Erwin. "We finally got some stops and made some timely baskets. Really proud of our effort the last five or so minutes."

"Cole Peterson was a huge bright spot tonight. Sometimes we complicate the game and Cole doesn't. He knows what he's good at. Catching the ball around the rim. He's got really good hands and he can finish it."

Midland (6-4) will hit the road for another nonconference game next week as it travels on Wednesday to take on Dakota State (6-4). Tipoff between the Warriors and Trojans is scheduled for 7:00 p.m. in Madison, South Dakota on December 4.