By Tad Dorsey

2020-21 GPAC Standings

• #9 Morningside split a pair of games this week.  They fell 76-67 at home against RV Jamestown.  After a slow first half the Mustangs were down 32-25.  Morningside battled back with an 11-4 run to tie it at 36 early in the 2^nd half.  The second half was a battle.  Jamestown used a late 10-2 run to seal the win.  Trey Brown was 91-7 with 21 points and 18 rebounds.  Zach Imig had 13 points, 11 rebounds, and 8 assists.  They bounced back with a 78-71 victory over Mount Marty.   The Mustangs used a late 21-5 run in the first half to go up 39-30 at halftime.  It was tight in the 2^nd half as the Lancers would compete to the end.  Morningside hit some clutch free throws late to secure the victory.  Zach Imig was 6-13 with 19 points, 8 rebounds, and 5 assists.  Aidan Vanderloo was 6-8 with 14 points.  Trey Brown was 3-6 (7-10 FTs) with 13 points and 12 rebounds.  Morningside goes to 14-3 in the GPAC, 18-3 overall.  They are a game up on #16 Dakota Wesleyan for first place.  The teams are even in the loss column with Morningside having 2 more wins.  On Wednesday the Mustangs are at #16 DWU in a game that could go a long way in determining who wins the regular season.  The Mustangs host Doane on Saturday. 
• #16 Dakota Wesleyan picked up a pair of GPAC wins to get closer to Morningside in the standings.  They defeated Briar Cliff 86-76 in Sioux City.  The Tigers defense did not allow a score in the first five minutes of the game.  A three at the end of the first half by Jeffrey Schuch put the Tigers up 44-33 at halftime.  Briar Cliff cut the lead down to 3 with 12 minutes left.  A three by Sawyer Schultz got the lead back up to six, and the Tigers were able to seal the deal from there.  Nick Harden was 7-13 (10-12 from the line) with 26 points, 6 rebounds, and 3 steals.  Sawyer Schultz had a career high 22 points on 6-10 (5-8 from 3).  The Tigers were victorious at Hastings 92-76.  After falling behind 15-7 early, the Tigers went on an 11-2 run finished by a go-ahead basket from Teegan Evers.  Another 13-0 run in the first half was sparked by threes from Schultz and Evers.  It was 49-42 DWU at half.  After Hastings made a run to cut into the lead after half, Ace Zorr scored 7points in a row to expand the lead back.  A late 18-4 run sealed the game.  Teegan Evers was 10-14 with a career high 28 points off the bench.  He also had 4 rebounds.  Ace Zorr was 8-11 with 19 points, 7 rebounds, and 3 assists.  The Tigers improved to 12-3 in the GPAC, 16-4 overall.  They are a half-game up on third place Jamestown.  The Tigers host #9 Morningside on Wednesday before playing at Concordia on Saturday.  A big week for the Tigers.
• RV Jamestown has a four-game winning streak as they are right in the thick of the GPAC race.  This winning streak features wins over the top two teams in the GPAC.  They picked up a season sweep of the #9^th ranked Morningside Mustangs with a 76-67 win at Mside.  After falling behind 14-7 early in the first half, the Jimmies closed with a 25-11 run to go up 32-25 at half.  The second half was back and forth, with both teams taking the lead at several times.  The final lead change occurred with 6:07 left when Cole Woodford broke a 52 all tie with a three.  Morningside was within one late in the game when a three by Marc Kjos sparked a 10-2 run to ice the game.  Jack Talley surpassed 1,000 career points in the win.  Mason Walters grabbed 21 rebounds and is now second nationally in rebounds per game.  Allante’ Pickens scored a career high 21 points off the bench, going 6-12 (5-9 from 3).  Jamestown finished the week with a wild 109-105 overtime victory over Doane.  The Jimmies had a big first half, shooting 11-17 from 3 to lead 54-47 at the break.  Doane went on an early first half run to go up 64-59 with 13:01 left.  A three by Jack Talley with 32 seconds left had Jamestown up 94-92.  A Tiger basket forced OT.  Allante’ Pickens scored 8 points in overtime, including a three pointer to go up 106-105 with 53 seconds left.  Late free throws secured the win.  Mason Walters was 14-20 with 32 points, 10 rebounds, and 4 assists.  Jack Talley was 10-15 (8-11 from 3) with 31 points and 9 rebounds.  Jamestown improves to 12-4 in the GPAC, 16-5 overall.  The Jimmies are a half game up on Northwestern for third place.  Jamestown is at Briar Cliff on Wednesday before hosting Midland Saturday.
• Northwestern picked up a pair of key wins to move into 4^th place in the GPAC and extend their win streak to 7 games in a row.  They defeated Dordt 81-67.  The Raiders fell behind early, but quickly erased the deficit with a 26-5 run late in the first half to go up 44-30 at the break.  Dordt would not be able to make it a game in the 2^nd half.  Alex Van Kalsbeek was 8-10 with 19 points, 5 rebounds, and 4 assists.  Trent Hilbrands was 5-12 with 18 points and 3 rebounds.  The Red Raiders also defeated Midland 85-56 on the road.  After a competitive first half ended in a 42-39 Raiders lead, Northwestern played better in the second half.  They started the half on a 7-0 run and never looked back.  Van Kalsbeek was 10-15 with 25 points, 6 rebounds, and 6 assists.  Craig Sterk was 9-15 with 21 points and 8 rebounds.  Northwestern improves to 12-5 in the GPAC, 17-5 overall.  The Raiders are a half game ahead of Concordia for 4^th place in the GPAC.  Northwestern hosts Mount Marty on Saturday. 
• Concordia had the week off.  They are 11-5 in the GPAC, 14-7 overall.  They lead Dordt by 1.5 games for 5^th place in the GPAC.  The Bulldogs are at Dordt on Wednesday before hosting #16 Dakota Wesleyan on Saturday. 
• Dordt lost their only game of the week, falling 81-67 at Northwestern.  After leading early, the Defenders gave up several big runs.  They trailed 44-30 at halftime, and eventually they fell behind 59-38.  They were unable to get within single digits in the second half.  Bryce Coppock was 5-10 with 17 points.  Jacob Vis was 6-10 with 15 points and 4 rebounds.    Dordt is 10-7 in the GPAC, 15-7 overall.  They lead Briar Cliff by 2 games for 6^th in the GPAC.  Dordt hosts Concordia for their only game next week.
• Briar Cliff lost their only game, 86-76 against #16 Dakota Wesleyan.  The Chargers quickly fell behind 17-4 early on and were never really able to battle back in the first half, falling behind 44-33 at halftime.  The second half Briar Cliff was able to cut the led to 57-54 after threes by Conner Groves and Jaden Kleinhesselink and a jumper from Quinn Vesey.  DWU would seal the deal with a 15-5 run.  Kleinhesselink was 7-16 with 21 points, 7 rebounds, and 4 steals.  Conner Groves was 6-12 with 18 points, 6 rebounds, 4 assists, and 3 steals.  Quinn Vesey was 6-12 (4-8 from 3) with 17 points, 5 assists, 3 rebounds, and 3 steals.  Briar Cliff falls to 8-9 in the GPAC, 11-11 overall.  They lead Mount Marty by 3.5 games for 7^th in the GPAC.  Briar Cliff hosts RV Jamestown on Wednesday and hosts Hastings on Saturday. 
•  Mount Marty split a pair of GPAC contests this week.  The Lancers picked up a massive 79-78 win at Midland.  It was a back and fourth game all the way through.  Midland led 38-36 at halftime. The Lancers took a 48-45 lead on a three by Allen Wilson with 14:21 left.  Luke Ronsiek followed with a three of his own to go up 51-45.  A jumper by Elijah Pappas would extend it to 60-50 with 10:28 left.  The Warriors would rally, they had the lead down to 72-70 with 4:37 left. A pair of layups by Tyrell Harper had the Lancers up 76-70 with 2:01 left.  A key steal and FT by Luke Ronsiek put the Lancers up 4 with 13 seconds left.  It was key as the Warriors hit a three at the buzzer to make the final 79-78.  Harper finished 8-14 with 19 points and 10 rebounds.  Kade Stearns was 5-8 (4-7 from 3) with 14 points.  Mount Marty would fall 78-71 against #9 Morningside.  They were unable to overcome a 39-30 halftime deficit.  They competed in the 2^nd half to keep it close.  Tyrell Harper was 9-18 with 21 points, 12 rebounds, and 5 steals.  Jailen Billings scored 20 points.  MMU goes to 5-13 in the GPAC, 8-15 overall.  The Lancers hold a 1.5 game lead over Doane, and a 2 game lead over Hastings and Midland for the 8^th and final spot in the GPAC tournament.  The Lancers finish GPAC play this week with a big two game road trip, playing at Hastings and at Northwestern. 
• Doane lost their only game of the week to fall 1.5 games behind Mount Marty for the final GPAC tournament spot.  They competed well, falling 109-105 at RV Jamestown in overtime.  The Tigers were led by Anthony Laravie, who was 13-21 (3-5 from 3) with 29 points and 5 rebounds.  Zach Witters was 7-12 with 20 points.  Alec Oberhauser was 6-10 with 16 points and 3 assists.  Doane falls to 3-14 in the GPAC, 6-16 overall.  Doane is at #9 Morningside on Saturday.    
• Hastings fell to #16 Dakota Wesleyan 92-76 in their only game of the week.  Hastings was up 13-7 as Karson Gansebom had three early threes.  Their lead expanded to 17-9, before DWU rallied to close the half and go up 49-42 at the break.  A layup by Dashawn Walker cut the Tigers’ lead to 52-50 with 17:07left in the game.  From there the Broncos struggled on offense as DWU closed the game out.  Gansebom finished 8-16 with 26 points and 3 rebounds.  Dashawn Walker was 9-16 with 18 points and 3 rebounds.  Hastings falls to 2-14 in the GPAC, 6-15 overall.  They trail Mount Marty by 2 games for the final GPAC tournament spot.  They host the Lancers on Wednesday and are at Briar Cliff on Saturday.
• Midland lost a pair of critical home games.  They fell 79-78 against Mount Marty.  The Warriors led early, but an 11-0 Lancers run cut the lead to 38-36 at half.  The Warriors would fall behind 60-50 midway through the second half.  Jake Rueschhoff did his best to cut into the lead.  He cut the lead to 76-72 with 1:45 left.  A three by Arturo Montes had it down to 3.  The Warriors had a chance for a tying three but were unable to get a shot. Rueschhoff was 9-13 with 24 points, 5 rebounds, and 4 assists.  Arturo Montes was 5-9, all threes, with 15 points.  Midland fell 85-56 against Northwestern.  The Warriors would compete in the first half.  Northwestern would lead 42-39 at half.  Midland was not able to stay in the game after halftime.  The Raiders would score the first 8 points, as they started the half on a 15-2 run.  Bo Sandquist scored 14 points and had 4 rebounds.  Midland falls to 2-14 in the GPAC, 4-15 overall.  They trail Mount Marty by 2 games for the final GPAC tournament spot.  The Warriors are at RV Jamestown on Saturday. 

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TAD’S POWER RANKINGS

1. Morningside (-) Loss to Jamestown opens up the conference race
2. Jamestown (-) Playing great hoops right now, the offense is hitting a hot streak
3. Dakota Wesleyan (-) – Looking to sweep Morningside and take first place this week
4. Northwestern (+1) – When the offense is clicking, they can beat anyone
5. Concordia (-1) – Big week upcoming against Dordt and DWU
6. Dordt (-) The Defenders have hit a cold streak. 
7. Briar Cliff (-) – Have a difficult time beating the teams ahead of the in the standings
8. Mount Marty (-) –  Needed the win over Midland
9. Doane (-) – Competed with Jamestown, a win would have been huge for their GPAC tournament chances
10. Hastings (-) – Rough loss to DWU
11. Midland (-) – Competed against MMU, hard loss to take

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Games of the Week:

#9 Morningside (14-3 18-3) at #16 Dakota Wesleyan (12-3 16-4)

Wednesday February 3^rd 8:00pm

This is everything you want in a basketball game.  Two top tier teams, the Corn Palace is a fabulous atmosphere, winner takes first place in the GPAC.  Buckle up

Mount Marty (5-13 8-15) at Hastings (2-14 6-15)

 7:00pm Wednesday February 3^rd 7:00pm

Hastings desperately needs this win to stay in the race for the 8 seed.

#16 Dakota Wesleyan (12-3 16-4) @ Concordia (11-5 14-7)

Saturday February 6^th 6:00pm

Tigers looking to stay in the race for the top spot in the GPAC while Concordia is looking to get back in the top four to host a game in the GPAC tournament. 

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GPAC Stat Leaders

Points Per Game

1. Mason Walters (JAM) 22.30ppg (18^th nationally)
2. Alex Van Kalsbeek (NWC) 19.77ppg
3. Trey Brown (MOR) 17.50ppg
4. Justin Wiersema (CUNE) 17.05ppg
5. Karson Gansebom (HAS) 16.67ppg
6. Nick Harden (DWU) 16.39ppg
7. Trent Hilbrands (NWC) 16.36ppg
8. Garrett Franken (DOR) 15.86ppg
9. Anthony Laravie (DOA) 15.86ppg
10. Jailen Billings (MMU) 15.78ppg

FG% (minimum 75% games played, and 5 FG made per game)

1. Alex Van Kalsbeek (NWC) 74.0% (2^nd nationally)
2. Mason Walters (JAM) 62.5% (19^th nationally)
3. Trey Brown (MOR) 62.0%
4. Craig Sterk (NWC) 61.2%
5. Justin Wiersema (CUNE) 57.9%
6. Dashawn Walker (HAS) 52.9%
7. Karson Gansebom (HAS) 51.0%
8. Koln Oppold (DWU) 48.7%
9. Garrett Franken (DOR) 48.5%
10. Ben Juhl (HAS) 46.5%

3PT FG% (Min 75% of games played and 1.5 3PT FG per game)

1. Aidan Vanderloo (MOR) 60.4% (6^th nationally)
2. Quinn Vesey (BCU) 44.6%
3. Will Cordes (JAM) 43.8%
4. Luke Ronsiek (MMU) 43.2%
5. Trent Hilbrands (NWC) 43.1%
6. Sawyer Schultz (DWU) 42.6%
7. Justin Wiersema (CUNE) 42.3%
8. Cole Woodford (JAM) 41.9%
9. Conner Groves (BCU) 41.6%
10. Marc Kjos (JA) 41.3%

Assists per game

1. Zach Imig (MOR) 4.80apg
2. Marc Kjos (JAM) 4.24apg
3. Jesse Jansma (DOR) 3.96apg
4. Jay Small (NWC) 3.96apg
5. Koln Oppold (DWU) 3.95apg
6. Nick Harden (DWU) 3.83apg
7. Jake Rueschhoff (MID) 3.78apg
8. Quinten Vasa (BCU) 3.55apg
9. Elijah Pappas (MMU) 3.52apg
10. Alex Van Kalsbeek (NWC) 2.96apg

Rebounds per game

1. Mason Walters (JAM) 12.95rpg (2^nd nationally)
2. Trey Brown (MOR) 10.85rpg (8^th nationally)
3. Gage Smith (CUNE) 9.05rpg
4. Koln Oppold (DWU) 8.35rpg
5. Garrett Franken (DOR) 7.41rpg
6. Zach Imig (MOR) 7.30rpg
7. Craig Sterk (NWC) 7.14rpg
8. Alex Van Kalsbeek (NWC) 6.96rpg
9. Dashawn Walker (HAS) 6.88rpg
10. Elijah Pappas (MMU) 6.48rpg

Steals per game

1. Nick Harden (DWU) 2.44spg (19^th nationally)
2. Elijah Pappas (MMU) 1.70spg
3. Zach Imig (MOR) 1.65spg
4. Mason Hiemstra (HAS) 1.65spg
5. Justin Wiersema (CUNE) 1.62spg
6. Quinn Vesey (BCU) 1.59spg
7. Anthony Laravie (DOA) 1.57spg
8. Jake Rueschhoff (MID) 1.39spg
9. Conner Groves (BCU) 1.36spg
10. Marc Kjos (JAM) 1.24spg

Blocks per game

1. Mason Larson (DWU) 1.65bpg
2. Brock Schrom (JAM) 1.15bpg
3. Jacob Vis (DOR) 1.09bpg
4. Trey Brown (MOR) 1.00bpg
5. Camden Bialas (DOR) 0.96bpg
6. Craig Sterk (NWC) 0.91bpg
7. Alex Van Kalsbeek (NWC) 0.86bpg
8. Mason Walters (JAM) 0.85bpg
9. Quinten Vasa (BCU) 0.73bpg
10. Trey Powers (MOR) 0.70bpg