Second-ranked Dordt University used a big first half to defeat Hastings 86-51 in a Great Plains Athletic Conference (GPAC) women's basketball match-up played this afternoon at the De Witt Gym.

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Karly Gustafson led the Defenders with 18 points, one of three players to score in double figures for Head Coach Bill Harmsen's squad. Janie Schoonhoven recorded her third straight double-double, scoring all 16 of her points in the first half to go with a game-high 10 rebounds. Gracie Schoonhoven filled up the stat sheet with 16 points, eight rebounds and five assists.

The Defenders improve to 7-0 in the conference, 12-0 overall, and are one of nine teams still unbeaten in the NAIA. Hastings drops its record to 2-5 in the conference, 4-7 overall. 

For the second straight game, the Defenders never trailed as they jumped out to a 12-4 lead on a basket by Janie Schoonhoven with 5:49 left in the first quarter. Holding an eight-point lead (18-10), Dordt closed out the quarter with five straight points on a lay-up by Gracie Schoonhoven and a conventional three-point play by Gustafson for a 23-10 advantage. 

Leading by 15 (29-14), Dordt initiated a 10-0 run to extend its advantage to 25 points (39-14) after a three-point play from Janie Schoonhoven with 5:55 left in the half. Consecutive baskets by Gracie Schoonhoven coupled with a pair of free throws by Janie Schoonhoven put the Defenders in front 50-20, their largest lead of the half, with just 44 seconds left. 

Dordt shot better than 50% in each of the first two quarters while holding the Broncos to under 30% shooting for the first half. 

Dordt's defense and rebounding controlled the game in the third quarter as they limited Hastings to just four field goals over the 10-minute period. Three-pointers by Macey Nielson and Hayden Hiemensen sparked a 12-4 Defenders run as the hosts opened up a 36-point lead (69-33) with under a minute left in the third quarter. 

By the Numbers:

• Dordt shot better than 50% over the first three quarters; 47% for the game
• Hastings shot 27% for the game
• both teams were efficient from the free throw line
  • Dordt - 83% (15/18)
  • Hastings - 67% (14/21)
• Dordt controlled the boards, outrebounding Hastings 56-34 for the game
  • the Defenders totaled 20 offensive rebounds, leading to 27 second-chance points
  • five Defenders accounted for 6+ rebounds; Macy Sievers, Karly Gustafson, Janie Schoonhoven, Eliana Kuperus and Gracie Schoonhoven
• turnovers were a non-factor for either team (Dordt - 11, Hastings - 12)
• Tatis Arredondo led Hastings with 19 points, the only Broncos player to score in double figures

Defender Notes:

• Dordt continued its dominance on the boards as they have out-rebounded every opponent this season
• the +22 rebound margin is the fourth best of the season
• both Janie Schoonhoven and Karly Gustafson have scored in double figures in eight straight games
• this was the third straight and fifth overall double-double for Janie Schoonhoven
• Gracie Schoonhoven has scored in double figures in seven straight games; eight for the season

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