SCORE
Dordt def. Briar Cliff 65-62
HOW IT HAPPENED
In a game where points were at a premium, the Dordt Defenders earned the season sweep over the Briar Cliff Chargers in NAIA National Championship Quarterfinal round play with a 65-62 verdict that didn't come without tense moments.
The Defenders took an 8-1 lead with 7:34 left in the first quarter after a pair of
Macy Sievers free throws. After a timeout the Chargers outscored Dordt 11-4 and tied it 12-12 on a Mallie McNair three-point basket. Briar Cliff eventually led 15-13 after a pair of late free throws but
Janie Schoonhoven answered with two free throws of her own and the teams were tied 15-15 at the end of the period.
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The teams were tied at 17 and 19 to open the second period with Dordt eventually building the lead to 30-21 after a
Macy Sievers basket with 2:39 left in the half. Dordt settled for a 32-25 lead at halftime.
Dordt kept the momentum and had a nine point lead in the third quarter before Briar Cliff cut it to 40-35 but Dordt had a rebuttal as
Janie Schoonhoven converted a short shot for a 46-35 lead off an offensive rebound. Dordt's lead was still eight when the period ended and
Karly Gustafson converted two free throws and
Macy Sievers a three-point shot with 8:10 remaining for Dordt's biggest lead of the game at 57-44.
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Briar Cliff proceeded to score 14 of the next 16 points and the difference down to one with Kennedy Benne making two free throws with 3:37 left in the game. Gustafson and Sievers both converted two-point shots to extend the lead to five but four straight Briar Cliff free throws made it 63-62 with :11 left. Briar Cliff was forced to foul
Macy Sievers and the sophomore made both free throws to extend the lead and the Chargers got a wing three-point shot attempt by Konnor Sudmann that bounced off and
Janie Schoonhoven secured the rebound for the 65-62 win.
THE NUMBERS
- Dordt converted 24-58 field goals and 3-10 three-point shots with 14-15 free throws.
- Briar Cliff was 19-69 from the field and 5-25 from the arc and made 19-12 free throws.
- Dordt had a 46-41 rebounding advantage but committed 20 turnovers.
- Dordt Leaders
- Briar Cliff Leaders
- Mallie McNair: 27 pts | 6 rebs
- Payton Slaughter: 10 pts | 9 rebs | 3 assists
- Kennedy Benne: 8 pts
- Konnor Sudmann: 8 pts
NEXT
Dordt will face Cumberlands (Kentucky) on Monday night, March 26 in the NAIA National Championship semifinal round at 8pm.
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