Preview: Doane Tigers at Midland Warriors

FREMONT, Neb. (Interstat) — Two Nebraska NAIA men’s basketball teams seeking consistency will meet Wednesday when the Doane Tigers visit the Midland Warriors at Wikert Event Center.

The Tigers (6-8) are coming off a heartbreaking 83-82 home loss to Waldorf on Saturday, a game in which Trevon Beckman scored 28 points. Doane has lost three of its last four contests.

Midland (7-8) snapped a three-game skid with an 89-85 victory over Dordt on Saturday. The Warriors have been strong at home this season, boasting a 5-2 record in Fremont.

A key matchup will feature the teams’ top guards. Doane’s Beckman is averaging 20 points over his last five games, including his 28-point, five-rebound, five-assist effort against Waldorf. He will be countered by Midland’s Amari Rahaman, who is coming off a 21-point, eight-assist performance in the win over Dordt. Rahaman has dished out 21 assists in his last three games.

Doane’s recent struggles have been marked by close losses, with three of their eight defeats coming by three points or fewer. Alongside Beckman, forwards Casen Chaney and Jonan Claussen, who combined for 24 points and 18 rebounds against Waldorf, will be crucial for the Tigers’ interior presence.

Midland’s offense runs through Rahaman, but Jake Orr (18 points, seven rebounds vs. Dordt) and Butch Lordeus provide additional scoring punch. The Warriors will look to exploit a Doane defense that has allowed 80 or more points in four of its last five outings.

Wednesday’s contest is the first of two regular-season meetings between the programs this season. They will meet again at Doane on Feb. 21.

Tipoff is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. CST.