LAWRENCE, Kan. — The Hesston College men’s basketball team held off a late rally to earn an 86–85 road victory over Haskell on Wednesday night at Coffin Complex.
The Larks built a double-digit second-half lead and withstood a furious push in the closing seconds to secure the one-point win.
Hesston set the tone early, turning defense into offense in the opening minutes. After falling behind 6–2, the Larks answered with back-to-back steals and layups from Brennon Dodge to cut the deficit and spark momentum. Brycten Harris knocked down a three to tie the game at 10–10, and Trent Thompson and Dante Smith helped Hesston establish control in the paint. A 9–0 run midway through the half, highlighted by transition buckets from Smith and Antonio Odum, pushed the Larks in front.
Dodge continued to attack downhill, converting multiple steals into points, while Thompson battled inside for second-chance opportunities. Hesston stretched its advantage to as many as nine late in the half and carried a 42–35 lead into the locker room.
The Larks maintained that edge early in the second half, capitalizing at the free-throw line and finishing around the rim. A three-pointer from Devin Lewis extended the lead to 60–50, and Hesston later built its largest cushion of the night at 74–60 following consecutive free throws from Thompson with 6:46 remaining.
Haskell refused to go away, however, chipping into the deficit behind timely perimeter shooting and strong play inside. The home team trimmed the margin to one in the final two minutes and buried a three-pointer with eight seconds left to make it 86–85.
Clutch free-throw shooting proved decisive. Dodge calmly knocked down two free throws with 36 seconds remaining to give Hesston breathing room, and Thompson converted three of four attempts in the final 16 seconds to keep the Larks in front. A last-second three-point attempt by Haskell missed, sealing the victory.
Dodge led the Larks with 21 points, adding four assists and three steals. Thompson recorded 19 points and 10 rebounds for a double-double, going 9-of-13 at the line. Harris added 15 points on an efficient 6-of-7 shooting night, including 2-of-2 from beyond the arc, while Odum finished with 13 points and five assists. Smith contributed eight points and eight rebounds as Hesston totaled 42 points in the paint and 23 points off turnovers.
As a team, the Larks shot 41.9 percent from the field and converted 20-of-29 free throws. Hesston’s defensive pressure forced 15 Haskell turnovers, helping offset a late surge and secure the narrow road win.
The Larks will face Arkansas Baptist at home on Saturday, February 14th to wrap up the regular season.
