The contest featured fast-paced scoring runs, physical paint battles, and critical defensive stops from the opening tip. Early Momentum and Calvin Blue’s Opening Strike Action got underway immediately when Calvin Blue hit a deep three-point shot at the 19:43 mark of the opening half, giving Benedictine an early 3-0 advantage with an assist credited to Jevin Sullivan.
Deaglan Sullivan Commits Turnover After Defensive Rebound
Action intensified as both sides exchanged early miscues and defensive plays. Deaglan Sullivan secured a defensive rebound following a missed three-point attempt by Connor Millikan, though Deaglan Sullivan subsequently committed a turnover at the 19:16 mark. That led to a steal by Landon De Stigter. Millikan attempted a layup at 19:08, which was blocked by Calvin Blue. Following a team offensive rebound, Brayden Beckering turned the ball over, allowing Blue to pick up another steal and draw a foul from Beckering with 19:01 on the clock.
Connor Millikan Sinks Three-Pointer to Tie Score
Benedictine and Dordt University continued to battle fiercely inside and along the perimeter. Aiden Sullivan missed a layup at 18:42, resulting in a defensive rebound for Millikan. After Millikan missed another three-point attempt, Reed Friesen collected an offensive rebound and tried a layup at 18:13, which was blocked by Aiden Sullivan. Friesen secured yet another offensive rebound, setting up Millikan to sink a three-pointer with an assist from Beckering to tie the score at 3-3. Benedictine quickly answered when Aiden Sullivan scored a layup in the paint at 17:42, pushed by an assist from Deaglan Sullivan to reclaim a 5-3 lead. Millikan missed a subsequent jumper, and Aiden Sullivan cleared the defensive glass.
