Dordt College uses huge second half to knock off Concordia, 92-72

Dordt College erupted for 60 points in the second half and pulled away for a 92-72 men’s basketball win over Concordia University on Saturday evening in Seward.  The Bulldogs led by three points at the half, but the Defenders used solid shooting and 42 free throw attempts to secure the win.  Dordt improved to 9-7 overall and 2-4 in the GPAC.  Concordia dropped to 10-5 overall and 4-3 in the GPAC. 

The game remained close throughout the first half.  Neither team led by more than six points.  A 3-pointer by Dordt’s Bobby Sherwood pulled the visiting Defenders within three (35-32) at halftime. 

Dordt opened the second half on an 11-0 run to claim a 43-35 lead with just over 17 minutes left in regulation.  Concordia would get as close as six on two occasions, but Dordt held a double digit lead for the rest of the contest. 

The Defenders connected on 15-of-25 shots in the second half for an even 60 percent.  Dordt was 26-of-33 (78.8 percent) from the foul line in the final 20 minutes and 34-of-42 (81 percent) from the charity stripe for the game.  The Defenders held a slim 42-38 rebounding advantage and had 17 assists on 26 made field goals.

Concordia finished the game 26-of-64 (40.6 percent) from the field in the loss.  The Bulldogs were 8-of-22 (36.4 percent) from deep and 12-of-17 (70.6 percent) from the foul line.  Concordia finished with 19 turnovers and had 15 assists on 26 made field goals. 

Trevor Wolterstorff had a big game for the Defenders.  He finished with 30 points and seven rebounds on the night, hitting 8-of-16 shots from the field and 13-of-15 shots at the foul line.  Cliff Warner added 16 points on 14-of-17 at the charity stripe, and Austin Katje also reached double figures with 11 points. 

Sam Huebner (Aurora, Colo.) led four players in double figures for Concordia with 17 points.  Huebner was 7-of-11 from the field and added a team-best seven rebounds on the night.  T.J. Todd (Seaside, Calif.) added 13 points off the bench, and Ryan Shrum (Allen, Texas) poured in 11 despite battling foul trouble throughout the game.  Tyler Byrd (Bennington, Neb.) had 10 points, five rebounds and a game-high eight assists.  Byrd struggled from the field, however, hitting just 2-of-12 shots on the night. 

Concordia travels to Nebraska Wesleyan on January 12 for a GPAC matchup against the Prairie Wolves.  Game time is scheduled for 8 p.m. in Lincoln.