Men's Basketball Closes Season with Home Win

CRETE, Neb. — Doane Men's Basketball closed the 2025-26 season with a comeback win Saturday afternoon, knocking off Midland 79-77 in GPAC play in Crete.

The Tigers (13-15, 7-13 GPAC) erased an eight-point halftime deficit and leaned on a blistering second-half shooting display, scoring 53 points after the break and finishing 15-of-25 from three-point range (60.0%) to edge the Warriors (11-17, 7-13 GPAC).

Midland carried a 34-26 lead into the locker room and stretched its advantage to double digits early in the second half, but Doane began chipping away behind timely perimeter shooting. The Tigers hit 12 triples in the second half alone, repeatedly answering Midland buckets to keep the game within one or two possessions.

A pair of Tigers topped 20 points to fuel the rally. Trevon Beckman poured in 21 points on 8-for-15 shooting with four three-pointers, while Casen Chaney added 21 points and a game-high 11 assists. Justus Gardiner chipped in 16 points and knocked down four threes, including a second-half flurry that helped swing momentum.

Jonan Claussen finished with 14 points and five rebounds, and Jack Wilson added five points and five boards as Doane won the rebounding battle 31-29 and finished with 19 assists on 29 made field goals.

Midland was led by Jake Orr's all-around line of 19 points and nine rebounds, along with an eye-catching nine steals. Dylan Simons scored 18 points, Butch Lordeus had 11, and Alec Noonan added 10 off the bench.

Down the stretch, the teams traded leads in the final minute, but Doane steadied itself at the free-throw line in the closing seconds to secure the two-point victory.

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