Men's Basketball Falls in Overtime to DWU

CRETE, Neb. — Doane Men's Basketball pushed Dakota Wesleyan to the wire Saturday afternoon in the Haddix Center, but the Tigers came up just short in an 84-81 overtime setback to the Tigers of DWU in GPAC action.

Doane (11-14, 5-12 GPAC) traded punches all day with Dakota Wesleyan (13-11, 8-8 GPAC) in a game that featured 18 ties and 16 lead changes. The Tigers led by as many as six in the second half, while DWU's largest advantage was nine late in the opening period.

The contest was 35-34 Doane at the break after the Tigers closed the half with a strong stretch that included a late layup from Jack Wilson and a trio of made threes. Doane continued to answer every DWU run in the second half, tying the game at 65-65 on a Trevon Beckman three with 3:39 left before the teams traded baskets down the stretch. A Crayton Macholan layup with 58 seconds remaining put Doane up 69-67, but Dakota Wesleyan answered to force overtime at 69-all.

In the extra session, DWU opened with a three to regain the lead and held off Doane's final push. Macholan knocked down a three with four seconds left to pull the Tigers within one at 82-81, but Dakota Wesleyan sealed the game at the line in the closing seconds.

Five Tigers scored in double figures, led by Casen Chaney with 18 points and six assists. Wilson added 20 points and five rebounds, while Jonan Claussen finished with 13 points and a team-high seven boards. Gardiner chipped in 12 points, eight rebounds, three assists and a pair of blocks, and Beckman posted 12 points with two steals.

Doane shot 45.5% from the floor (30-of-66) and 39.3% from three (11-of-28), recording 18 assists and forcing 20 points off DWU turnovers. Dakota Wesleyan shot 44.8% overall and 44.0% from three, with Tyson Stevenson leading the visitors with 25 points and Easton Neuendorf adding 17 points and five assists.

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