No.1 Dordt University rode a pair of decisive scoring bursts in the middle quarters to secure a 74-61 victory over Morningside on Wednesday night at the De Witt Gymnasium.

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The Defenders trailed 11-1 early after Morningside opened the game on an 11-1 run fueled by Clancy Brown's eight quick points. Dordt responded with a 15-0 surge to close the first quarter and flip the script, taking a 15-11 lead after 10 minutes.

After the teams traded baskets early, the Defenders unleashed a 14-2 run midway through the second quarter, sparked by back-to-back buckets from Macy Sievers and Gracie Schoonhoven. Dordt outscored the Mustangs 25-12 in the frame to build a 40-23 halftime advantage.

Dordt kept its foot on the gas in the third quarter, opening with a 10-0 spurt that stretched the lead to 50-25. The Defenders shot 62.5% in the period and led by as many as 30 points before Morningside trimmed the margin late.

By the Numbers: 

• Dordt shot 44% from the field, 22% (5/23) from the 3-point arc
• the Defenders converted 13-of-16 free throws (81%)
• Gracie Schoonhoven led all players with 23 points and 10 rebounds, making good on 8-of-11 shots from the field
• Macy Sievers contributed 20 points and dished out six assists
• Olivia Harazin scored all 10 of her points in the second half
• Clancy Brown led Morningside with 13 points followed by Jaelyn Marienau (12) and Lily Vollertsen (11)
• Dordt controlled the glass, outrebounding Morningside 44-27, leading to 32 points in the paint

Notes: 

• this is the ninth straight game the Defenders shot better than their opponent
• the Defenders five three-pointers made breaks a streak of four straight games with 10-plus made
• this was the eighth time this season Dordt shot better than 80% from the free throw line
• Dordt outrebounded its opponent for the 16th time this season and for the 12th straight game
• this was the 10th game the Defenders held a 10-plus edge on the boards
• Schoonhoven has scored in double figures in every game this season
• this was the 14th game that Schoonhoven has scored at least 20 points
• Schoonhoven recorded her second double-double of the season
• Sievers scored in double figures for the 14th game this season
• Harazin netted double figures for the ninth time this season
• Bleeker made a three-pointer in her 10th consecutive game
• Sievers converted a three-pointer in her ninth straight game
• Burkhart made a three-pointer in her eighth consecutive game