Warriors Too Much for Broncos in 80-72 Defeat

(Hastings, NE) – The men's basketball team was unable to replicate their result from last weekend, falling to Waldorf 80-72 in their home conference opener. Waldorf led most of the way outside of a few Hastings one-possession leads.

Waldorf knocked down a three on their opening possession. Hastings got on the board with a free throw from sophomore guard Quinn Johnson, then after a Warriors three, sophomore Ben Boudreau made a layup and Johnson converted on a three-point play to tie the game up at six. Boudreau gave Hastings its first lead at 8-7, then Johnson hit a three after Waldorf answered with an and-one.

After a bucket from junior guard DaRon Hall tied it up at 17, Waldorf, who outrebounded the Broncos 22-11 in the first half, scored seven straight to prompt a Hastings timeout. Waldorf continued to have success scoring, though three-point baskets from junior guard David Ogunlade and Johnson kept the game within eight at 40-32 going into the halftime break.

Each team hit a pair of threes to open the second half and Johnson knocked down three free throws to bring the Broncos within six with 15 minutes left, then Johnson scored another bucket off of an offensive rebound to get within four. A three-point play from Boudreau and a steal and layup from Hall brought the Broncos back to tie it at 51-all with 11 minutes remaining. Boudreau capped the Bronco rally with a layup to go up 53-51, but that would be Hastings' last lead.

Waldorf responded with a 12-4 run, as they led 63-57 with 6:34 left. Junior forward Rufus Rusholme-Cobb made a couple of free throws, then after a layup from Waldorf, Johnson's three brought the Broncos within three. Waldorf made a couple of free throws and after a couple of missed threes from Hastings, the Warriors made a layup to go up seven with 4:19 left.

Hastings was able to cut the lead to five a couple of times the rest of the way, but Waldorf held on for the 80-72 win. Rebounding was the story of the game as Waldorf outrebounded the Broncos 43-32. Johnson led the Broncos win scoring with 19 points, along with five rebounds. Boudreau with 15 and five rebounds, and Hall had 10 points.

Up next, Hastings will travel to Sioux City, IA to take on Briar Cliff at 3:45pm on Saturday, Nov. 23.