Warriors Fall Short Against Doane in GPAC Clash

FREMONT, Neb. – Midland University hosted Doane University in a Great Plains Athletic Conference (GPAC) matchup on Wednesday night. Despite a spirited second-half effort, the Warriors struggled to find their rhythm early and fell to the Tigers, 72-65.

Jeff Rozelle III opened the game with a layup, but Doane quickly answered, prompting Midland to call an early timeout. Following the break, Cole Petersen electrified the home crowd with a dunk as both teams traded baskets. Doane then surged with a 5-0 run, leading to another timeout by Midland with 10 minutes remaining in the first half. Out of the timeout, Rozelle III nailed a three-pointer, but the Tigers continued their momentum, building a 9-4 run.

Trey McCain sank a three-pointer to narrow the gap as the teams traded baskets until Doane called a timeout with one minute left in the half. After the break, Rozelle III hit another three-pointer, but the Tigers closed the half at the free-throw line, maintaining a 31-26 lead.

In the second half, Jake Orr got the Warriors on the board, but Doane answered with a 10-4 run. Mason Strong ended Midland's scoring drought, prompting an early timeout by Doane. The Tigers responded with a 7-0 run, extending their lead to double digits.

Alec Noonan broke the Warriors' scoring slump with a layup, sparking a 9-2 run that forced another Doane timeout. Both teams continued to exchange baskets, and Rozelle III led a 6-0 surge, bringing Midland within two points. However, Doane countered with a 12-5 run to rebuild their lead. McCain and Rozelle III combined for a 7-3 push in the final 30 seconds, but the Tigers sealed the game at the free-throw line.

"They controlled the tempo. They made plays at the rim and made shots," said head coach Tyler Erwin after the game. "They got a chance to set up their defense…set up their press, back to their zone. We didn't shoot the ball that well again. The last few games, the ball has not gone into the hole for us. At times, we're getting in our own way and being more 'complicators' than 'simplifiers'. We just never could get into our rhythm.

For the game, Midland shot 25-of-52 (48.1%) from the field, while Doane went 27-of-60 (45.0%).

Jeff Rozelle III led the Warriors with a double-double. Scoring 21 points and pulling down 12 rebounds. He was followed by Trey McCain with 18 points, and Jake Orr with 9.

"Give Doane credit. They controlled the tempo and they run some good action," added Coach Erwin. "They made plays when they needed to. It was really good to see Mason [Strong] on the floor as well as Alec Noonan. They have provided tremendous value in practice and it was really good to see them on the floor because they are going to help here in the current or near future.

"We will have some extremely detail-oriented and aggressive practices here soon with classes out and grades turned in. We will become a better basketball team moving forward because of this. Really looking forward to working with this team."

Midland (6-7, 1-5 GPAC) will travel to Mitchell, South Dakota, on Saturday, December 14, to face Dakota Wesleyan (7-3, 3-2 GPAC) in another conference matchup. Tipoff is set for 3:45 p.m. inside the World's Only Corn Palace.