Comeback falls short as No. 19 Tigers fall at Dordt

SIOUX CENTER, Iowa – The No. 19 Dakota Wesleyan University men's basketball team took a 24-13 lead midway through the first half, but were unable to hold off Dordt College in Great Plains Athletic Conference play as they fell 78-66 Wednesday in Sioux Center, Iowa.

 One game after tallying his 1,000^th-career point, sophomore guard Ty Hoglund (Dell Rapids, S.D.) picked up where he left off as he scored the first 12 points for the Tigers (16-7, 6-5 GPAC) as they led 12-8 early on. Midway through the first half, Collin Kramer (Volga, S.D.) found nothing but net as he nailed a 3-pointer followed by a Jason Spicer (Sioux Falls, S.D.) jump shot to give DWU a double-digit lead.

 However, the Defenders (10-12, 4-6 GPAC) answered with a 12-0 run to take the lead. With under five minutes to play in the opening half, Kramer hit a crucial 3-pointer to help the Tigers regain the lead, 29-27. The remainder of the half was back-and-forth and Dordt took the halftime lead, 37-31.

 After Dordt took a double-digit lead early in the second half, Hoglund made two free throws to help cut the deficit to eight points. The Defenders were able to build their lead back to 11 points, but not for long as DWU went on a 10-2 run to make it a 51-48 game.

 With under five minutes to play, Nygel Drury (Madison, Wis.) brought the Tigers within six points following a critical jump shot. But, Dordt was able to make free throws down the stretch to prevent the Tigers from coming back.

 Hoglund tallied 24 points, while Spicer recorded a double-double with 12 points and 11 rebounds. Vandeberg added 12 points and eight rebounds, as Kramer netted six points and eight rebounds. The Tigers shot 39 percent from the field and finished with five more rebounds and two more assists than the Defenders.

 The Tigers battle GPAC opponent Doane University at 4 p.m. Saturday in Crete, Neb.