Dordt turned an early challenge into a dominant first-half performance, rolling past Benedictine 82–44 on Saturday afternoon in Atchison, Kansas.
Box Score (PDF)
HOW IT HAPPENED
After Benedictine edged in front 13–12 late in the first quarter, Dordt seized control with a decisive surge that flipped the game.
Macy Sievers opened the run by scoring at the end of the quarter to give Dordt a 14–13 lead, and the Defenders never looked back. Early in the second quarter, Sievers continued to attack, scoring five quick points on a driving basket and a three-pointer.
Willow Bleeker and
Desta Hoogendoorn added buckets inside and out, and
Gracie Schoonhoven finished in the paint as Dordt quickly stretched the margin to double digits.
The run intensified as Dordt paired defense with balanced scoring.
Aubrey Burkhart converted a three-point play, Bleeker knocked down another three, and Sievers capitalized in transition and off turnovers.
Olivia Harazin then took over at the free-throw line late in the half, scoring six straight points at the stripe, before
Stella Charleston buried a three-pointer at the buzzer.
That closing stretch capped a 29–8 second quarter, turning a 12–13 deficit into a commanding 41–21 halftime advantage.
Dordt put the game out of reach early in the second half by continuing to score efficiently while locking down defensively.
Willow Bleeker opened the third quarter with a three-pointer, followed by a Schoonhoven basket in the lane and another finish after a steal.
Taylor Drent added a bucket inside, and Sievers scored twice more to push the lead beyond 30.
During a decisive stretch, Dordt held Benedictine scoreless for several minutes while building the margin to 54–22, effectively ending any comeback hopes. Balanced scoring continued throughout the quarter as Dordt outscored Benedictine 26–7 in the third, extending the lead to 67–28 heading into the final period and allowing the Defenders to cruise to the 82–44 victory.
Dordt is 12-1 and will be off until December 30 when the Defenders host Waldorf.
THE NUMBERS
Team Comparisons
- Field Goals: Dordt 27-of-59 (45.8%) | Benedictine 15-of-47 (31.9%)
- Three-Point Field Goals: Dordt 8-of-22 (36.4%) | Benedictine 3-of-23 (13.0%)
- Free Throws: Dordt 20-of-26 (76.9%) | Benedictine 11-of-16 (68.8%)
- Turnovers: Dordt 18 | Benedictine 31
- Rebounds: Dordt 38 | Benedictine 30
Dordt Individual Leaders
