Men's Basketball Tipoff 2024 with Win Over Thunder

Men's Basketball rang in the new year with a 78-62 win over Manhattan Christian (Kan.) on Wednesday evening in Crete. The Tigers improved to 6-9 on the season.

Doane scored the opening points of the game on a 3-point basket by Jack Wilson. The Thunder answered with a 3-pointer before Wilson added a layup for a 5-3 lead in the opening two minutes. Manhattan Christian went on a 6-0 run to take their only lead of the game, 9-5. The Tigers rallied back with a 13-0 run behind eight points from Caleb Hrabik. The Thunder picked up a basket with 10:43 to go only to have Doane go on a 10-0 run to take a 28-11 lead with 8:44 to play in the opening half.

The Tigers added three small runs, including a 6-0 run to close the first half for a 49-20 lead at the break. Wilson was leading the way at the break with 16 points and Nick Saiz had 11 points.

In the second half, Doane pushed their lead to 32 points on four occasions, the last coming at 13:16 to play in the game. The Thunder held Doane without a field goal for the next 11 minutes as they began to chip into the Tiger lead. A 10-0 run was snapped by Hrabik with a free throw. Manhattan Christian then went on another 10-0 run to pull within 13 points, 67-54, with 6:20 to play. 

Brady Timm and Cooper Sheldon combined for five free throws over the next four minutes to keep the lead in double figures as the Thunder cooled off. Hrabik and Timm hit 3-point baskets in the final 2:34 to close out the scoring for the Tigers.

Hrabik led all scorers with 20 points, hitting five 3-point baskets. He also had eight rebounds and four assists in the game. Wilson finished with 16 points, eight rebounds, and team-highs with two steals and two blocked shots. Timm added 14 points and five assists, as Saiz finished with 11 points.

Doane will be at home again on Saturday, January 6, as they host Briar Cliff. Tipoff is set for 3:45 PM.