NORTH NEWTON, Kan. — The Hesston College men's basketball team split its two games at the Bethel College Classic, earning a thrilling 92-90 double-overtime victory over Tabor College on Thursday, Nov. 5, before falling 100-82 to tournament host Bethel College on Saturday, Nov. 7.
Brennon Dodge led the Larks in scoring in both games, while three Hesston players recorded double-doubles in the tournament opener.
Hesston College 92, Tabor College 90 (2OT)
Hesston opened the tournament with a hard-fought victory over Tabor College, overcoming a second-half comeback by the Bluejays to secure the win in double overtime.
The Larks built a 39-33 halftime lead behind 12 points from Dodge and 10 from Dante Smith. Tabor responded in the second half, outscoring Hesston 36-30 to force overtime with the game tied at 69-69.
Both teams scored 12 points in the first overtime, sending the contest into a second extra period tied at 81-81. Trent Thompson delivered down the stretch, scoring nine of Hesston's 11 points in the final five minutes, including seven consecutive made free throws, to help seal the victory.
Dodge led the Larks with 24 points and 10 rebounds, while Smith added 15 points and 10 rebounds off the bench. Nate Brown recorded a third double-double with 14 points, 11 rebounds and four blocks.
Thompson finished with 15 points, nine rebounds and five steals, while Daniel Towels contributed nine points and eight rebounds.
Hesston dominated the boards, outrebounding Tabor 58-39, including a 26-6 advantage in offensive rebounds. The Larks converted those opportunities into 36 second-chance points and held a 58-44 edge in points in the paint.
Bethel College 100, Hesston College 82
The Larks returned to action Saturday against tournament host Bethel College, falling 100-82 despite shooting 49.2% from the field.
Hesston kept pace with the Threshers throughout much of the first half, led by 10 points from Thompson and eight apiece from Ky Kougl and Jarren Cargil. The Larks entered halftime trailing just 48-44.
Bethel pulled away in the second half, outscoring Hesston 52-38 while shooting 50% from the field over the final 20 minutes.
Dodge led Hesston with 17 points, including 15 in the second half. Kougl added 13 points, five rebounds and three assists off the bench, while Brown and Thompson each contributed 11 points. Thompson also recorded five assists and three steals.
Cargil finished with 10 points, while Devin Lewis and Smith added eight apiece. The Larks received 39 points from their bench and connected on eight three-pointers.
Bethel shot 52.2% from the field and held a 58-28 advantage in points in the paint. Trenton Patterson led the Threshers with 20 points, while Dominick Harris added 15.
Hesston finished the Bethel College Classic with a 1-1 record, highlighted by its double-overtime victory over Tabor. The Larks return to action Tuesday, Nov. 10, when they travel to Hastings, Neb., to face Hastings College at 7 p.m.
