Game Recap: Free-Throw Parade Propels Lancers Over Warriors

Date: February 11, 2026

Final Score: Mount Marty 69, Midland 57

They say "charity starts at home," and the Mount Marty Lancers (12-10, 11-7 GPAC) took that literally Wednesday night. In a game where field goals were occasionally hard to come by, the Lancers turned the free-throw line into their best friend, knocking down 30 points from the stripe to pull away for a 12-point victory over the Midland Warriors.

The Story: Grit and the Stripe

The first half was a defensive masterclass by the Lancers, holding Midland to just 18 points. While Mount Marty's own shooting was cold from the perimeter, their aggressive drives forced the Warriors into foul trouble early and often.

The second half turned into a track meet, with both teams scoring over 40 points. Midland's Dylan Simons and Butch Lordeus tried to mount a comeback, but the Lancers' poise in the closing minutes prevented the Warriors from ever getting within striking distance. Every time Midland made a run, the Lancers responded by attacking the rim and drawing contact.

Lancer Standouts

• Deegan Williams: Once again the heartbeat of the team. Williams scored a game-high 20 points, hauled in 7 rebounds, and dished out 5 assists. He was a perfect 7-of-7 from the free-throw line.

• Sutton Arend: Used his size to frustrate the Midland frontcourt, finishing with 15 points and going 7-of-8 from the charity stripe.

• Jackson Edman: Provided efficient scoring in the paint with 11 points and 3 rebounds in 23 minutes.

• Jake Jensen: Though his shots weren't falling, his defensive intensity was the catalyst. Jensen recorded 4 stealsand 6 rebounds, acting as the primary disruptor on the perimeter.

• Damon Opdahl: Controlled the glass alongside Williams, grabbing 7 rebounds and adding 8 points.

The Deciding Factors

• The "Charity" Advantage: This was the game. Mount Marty made 30 free throws on 35 attempts (85.7%). Midland only made 8. Despite making 4 fewer field goals than the Warriors, the Lancers won comfortably because they lived at the line.

• Dominating the Boards: Mount Marty bullied Midland on the glass, winning the rebounding battle 39-26. Those extra possessions were vital in a game where the Lancers shot only 21% from three-point range.

• Defensive Discipline: The Lancers committed only 9 turnovers and used their 8 steals to keep Midland out of their preferred offensive sets.

The Big Picture: With this win, the Lancers move to 11-7 in GPAC play, keeping them firmly in the hunt for a top-4 seed and that coveted home-court advantage in the opening round of the tournament.