Box Score Karly Gustafson and
Bailey Beckman scored 18 points each to lead No.13 Dordt University to an 81-75 road win against (RV) Briar Cliff in a conference match-up played tonight in Sioux City, Iowa.
The Defenders head into their Thanksgiving break with a perfect 8-0 record, 3-0 in the GPAC, and are one of two unbeaten teams left in the conference (Northwestern). Briar Cliff had its five-game win streak snapped and drops its first game in conference play, moving to 2-1 in the GPAC, 5-2 overall.
Both Gustafson and Beckman have scored in double figures in every game this season. Gustafson made 7-of-10 field field goal attempts, 4-of-7 free throws and led the Defenders with 10 rebounds for her fourth double-double of the season. Beckman converted 7-of-20 field goals, 3-of-4 free throws and pulled down four boards.
Hayden Heimensen netted a season-high 14 points, draining a season-best four 3-point baskets, while both
Janie Schoonhoven (13pts) and
Macy Sievers (10pts) also scored in double figures for the balanced Defenders offense.
Tied 46-46 midway into the third quarter, a free throw by Sievers followed by seven straight points scored by Beckman sparked an 8-0 Defenders run to give the visitors the lead for good, 54-46. A lay-up by Schoonhoven off an assist from Sievers just before time expired gave Dordt a 10-point lead at the end of the third quarter, 61-51.
Consecutive three-point baskets by Heimensen gave Dordt its largest lead (70-54) with 7:34 left to go only to have the host Chargers respond with a 9-0 run to cut the deficit to 70-63 with 4:54 left. After the teams traded baskets for the next 2-plus minutes, Gustafson converted a short jumper to push the Dordt lead back to eight (77-69). Briar Cliff made one final charge, and, following baskets by Payton Slaughter and Kaegen Held, was within four, 77-73, with under a minute to go. Two free throws by Sievers and a basket by Gustafson down the stretch, however, sealed the Defenders win.
Dordt continued to shoot well, making 54% of its field goal attempts and 47% (7/15) from the three-point line. The Defenders were outrebounded for the first time this season, 34-28, and gave up 13 on the offensive end to the Chargers.
Briar Cliff shot 40% for the game and was held to 2/14 from beyond the arc (14%). The Chargers converted 23-of-27 free throw attempts compared to Dordt's 12/19 from the charity stripe. Konnor Sudman lpoured in a game-high 19 points, making all 10 of her free throw attempts. Madelyn Deitchler contributed 16 points and nine boards while Held scored 12 coming off the Chargers bench.
Dordt outscored the host Chargers 9-5 over the final 2:52 to take a 19-15 lead at the end of the first quarter. Gustafson scored seven of the Defenders final seven points during the surge. Dordt held Briar Cliff scoreless for the first three minutes of the second quarter as they continued their run, opening up a 26-17 advantage following a three-pointer by
Macey Nielson. The Chargers managed to cut the Dordt lead down to six (39-33) by halftime.
