SIOUX CENTER, Iowa - Nebraska Wesleyan erased a nine point lead in the final two minutes and cut the lead to one point with under 10 seconds to go, but Dordt College held off the furious rally and clinched the game with free throws for a 92-88 victory.
Trailing by two points, the Prairie Wolves intentionally missed a free throw with three seconds remaining and the offensive rebound came down to
Cooper Cook along with a Dordt player. A jump ball was called and Dordt had the possession arrow. Nathan Rindels made two free throws to give Dordt a four point lead and seal the win.
It was a furious comeback for the Prairie Wolves as they trailed 86-77 with 2:00 remaining.Â
Cooper Cook got things started with a 3-pointer, then two defensive stops and four consecutive free throws made the score 86-84. Dordt hit a pair of free throws to make the score 88-84.
Trey Bardsley came down and hit a step-back 3-pointer to cut the lead to one point at 88-87 with 12.9 remaining. After two more free throws by Dordt, they didn't allow Bardsley to shoot as they fouled him right away. He made the first shot then missed on purpose giving them a chance.
NWU led 51-42 at half after shooting 63.0 from the field in the first 20 minutes. Dordt opened the second half on a big run to tie the game and the battle began.
The Prairie Wolves hot shooting cooled off as they went nearly eight minutes without a field goal allowing Dordt to get ahead.
Dordt's biggest advantage came at the free throw line where they made 38-42 at the charity stripe.Â
NWU shot just 4-16 from 3-point range in the second half and finished the game at 38.5 percent making 10-26. The Prairie Wolves shot 50 percent from the floor for the game.
Trey Bardsley had another huge game scoring 36 points for the second straight outing. He was 3-7 from 3-point land and 11-12 at the free throw line.
Cooper Cook had a career-high 25 points, making 6-8 from long range.Â
Travis Giesselmann was the other NWU player in double figures with 15 points. He also had a team-high nine rebounds and six assists.
Nathan Rindels and Leighton Sampon both scored 23 points for Dordt.Â