Orr Surpasses 1,000 Career Points in Warriors’ Road Win

HASTINGS, Neb. – Midland University made the trip to Hastings, Nebraska, on Wednesday night to face Hastings College in a Great Plains Athletic Conference (GPAC) matchup. The Warriors secured a hard-fought 81-76 victory over the Broncos. Jake Orr surpassed 1,000 career points in the win while leading the team with a double-double of 25 points and 10 rebounds.

The Broncos opened the game with a three-pointer, but Rece Kissinger and Jeff Rozelle III quickly responded with back-to-back baskets, sparking a 4-0 run. Hastings kept up the pressure early, adding another three-pointer and a jump shot. Trey McCain then fired off a three-pointer, igniting a 14-2 run that forced Midland to call a timeout. After the break, the teams traded points until Hastings went on a 5-2 run, prompting another Midland timeout with the Warriors leading 25-24. Following the timeout, Ryan Larsen ignited an 8-3 run, leading Hastings to call a timeout with one minute remaining in the half. Orr then scored back-to-back jump shots to close out the half, giving Midland a 37-27 lead at halftime.

After the intermission, Kissinger opened the second half with a jump shot, and both teams traded baskets early on. Nick Dolezal reignited the Warriors' momentum with a 5-2 run. The back-and-forth battle continued, with Hastings managing a 4-0 run. Mason Strong and Orr responded with a 5-0 run, forcing the Broncos to call a timeout. After the break, the basket-trading resumed, but Hastings narrowed the gap with two consecutive three-pointers, prompting another Midland timeout. Out of the timeout, Larsen sparked a 6-4 run before Hastings called for another timeout. The Broncos stayed in the fight, mounting a 7-2 run. As both teams visited the free-throw line, they continued exchanging baskets. Hastings hit a three-pointer to cut the deficit to just three points. However, Larsen sealed the win for Midland at the free-throw line, securing a hard-fought 81-76 victory over the Broncos.

For the game, Midland shot 30-of-56 (53.6%), while Hastings shot 30-of-64 (46.9%).

Jake Orr led the team with a double-double of 25 points and 10 rebounds while also surpassing 1,000 career points. Rece Kissinger followed with 12 points, Mason Strong with 11, and Jeff Rozelle III with 10.

"Again tonight we followed the game plan. The first half we were pretty good defensively, only holding them to shooting 31%," commented head coach Tyler Erwin. "Jake Orr had a tremendous game, as he does a lot for our team and affects winning in a lot of ways. Rece Kissinger made some key plays late in the game, especially his extra pass to Rozelle III to finish. Mason is starting to get in his groove and get back into his old ways. He was big off the bench. This was one of Nick Dolezal's better games, where he played under control and finished well around the rim. Overall, great road win. Proud of our guys and a lot of things we can build upon."

Midland (8-10, 3-7 GPAC) will travel to Sioux City, Iowa, to take on No. 14-ranked Morningside (13-4, 6-3 GPAC) in another conference game this weekend. Tip-off is scheduled for 3:45 p.m. on Saturday, January 11 inside the Rosen Verdoorn Sports Center.