The first time is always the sweetest and this time around it was no different for the Tigers. They picked up their first win of the year on Wednesday and followed it with a victory over Northwestern College, 86-84, for the first time in Orange City during regular season play. The Tigers were previously 0-15 during regular season games and 1-1 in post-season games played in Orange City. Northwestern is receiving votes in the NAIA national poll.
It wasn't easy though for the Tigers as they need overtime. The Red Raiders trailed by as many as seven points in the first half but rallied each time and took a two point advantage into halftime. Northwestern shot 53-percent in the first half while Doane hit on 45-percent of their attempts.
Northwestern's largest lead was four points in the game and they led for only seven of the 45 minutes played. The Tigers were able to rally in the second half and held a lead of five points with 10 minutes remaining. The two teams exchanged points the rest of the way as Northwestern took a three point lead with two minutes left in regulation.
After a missed Red Raider free throw, the Tigers' Trent Schlautman earned himself a spot at the charity stripe. He knocked down both free throws to pull Doane within one point, 79-78. The Tigers forced a turnover and Tyler Weatherholt hit a three-point basket to give Doane a two-point lead. The Red Raiders were able to draw a foul and tie the game with two free throws to force overtime.
The Tigers controlled the extra period and never trailed. Jack Lind scored five of his seven points in the overtime period, including a three-point play to open up the scoring. The Red Raiders closed the gap to two points with 43 seconds remaining and Doane was able to run off much of the clock but Northwestern still had a chance. As the final buzzer sounded, an off-balanced three-point attempt was no good and Doane picked up the victory.
Jake Johnson led the Tigers with 22 points, hitting four three-point baskets. Tyler Weatherholt added 18 points, knocking down five three-point baskets. Schlautman added 11 points while Lind led the team with five rebounds. Jens Scholl and Kendall Frantz notched three assists each while Scholl led the team with three steals.
Kale Wiertzema led Northwestern with a game-high 24 points, 10 from the free throw line. Josh Van Es added 14 points and eight rebounds, five on the offensive end.
Up Next
Doane will host Hastings College at 6:00 PM on Wednesday, February 18. The men's and women's contests are flip-flopped from typical start times.