Warriors Final-Seconds Free Throws Seal Win and NSAA Home Tournament Game

FOREST CITY, IA – It was a home finale that could not get any closer over the final 15 minutes of play. Waldorf University sank two pairs of free throws in the final 16 seconds to seal a 65-59 win over Mayville State and clinched a North Star Athletic Association Tournament First Round game.

Trailing 40-32 two minutes into the second half, the Warriors ran off eight-straight points capped by Noah Miller's two free throws to tie the game. Waldorf held a 61-59 edge with 1:21 remaining and they had both Miller and then Khyle Washington make all four free throws in the final 16 seconds to edge out the victory. Mayville State helped the home cause as it missed its final eight shot attempts and committed a turnover in the final 5:12 of play.

With the victory, Waldorf (11-15) improved to 6-6 in the NSAA to make a 4-way tie for third place. The Warriors earned the No. 3 seed due to league tiebreakers of a 4-2 record against the three other 6-6 teams.

Waldorf will now host No. 6 seeded Dickinson State on Wednesday night, Feb. 21, in a 7 p.m. tip-off. The two teams split the regular season matchups – each won on its home court with Dickinson State winning on Feb. 9 (78-66) and Waldorf took its home game on Jan. 26 (89-79).

On Saturday, Washington led a balanced Warrior attack with 15 points on 6 of 9 field goals to go with eight rebounds and four assists. Ugo Ejiofor posted a double-double of 13 points and 13 rebounds. Kaelon Harkema chipped in 10 points, eight assists, six rebounds, three steals and two blocks. Gabriel Sorensen drained a pair of 3-pointers as part of his 10 points and Khalil Grayson had nine points.

Jamison Kramer netted 18 points in the loss for Mayville State.

-Warriors-