No.1 Dordt University used a series of dominant runs—most notably a 37-point third quarter—to pull away from Briar Cliff and secure a 98–71 GPAC victory on Wednesday night in the De Witt Gymnasium.
The Defenders won their 16th consecutive game and improve to 18-1 in the conference, 24-1 overall, with three games remaining in the regular season.
After a scoreless opening minute, Dordt struck first and strung together a 9–0 run capped by
Macy Sievers' free throw and
Gracie Schoonhoven's jumper to take a 9–4 lead. Briar Cliff briefly grabbed momentum, taking its only lead at 14–12 following a pair of threes, but Dordt immediately answered with a 12-3 push over the final three minutes of the first quarter—highlighted by triples from
Willow Bleeker and
Macy Sievers and a late fast-break layup—that sent the Defenders into the break leading 24–20.
Dordt opened the second quarter with six straight points from
Desta Hoogendoorn and Schoonhoven to build a double-digit lead at 32–22. Another 10–2 surge midway through the frame, fueled by Sievers and Schoonhoven in transition, stretched the advantage to 44–32. The Defenders led 46–32 at halftime.
The third quarter belonged entirely to the Defenders. Dordt opened the half on a 10–0 run and then delivered the knockout blow moments later. From the 7:49 to 5:11 mark, Dordt unleashed a 16–0 run, turning a 53–34 game into a commanding 69–34 advantage.
- Schoonhoven scored eight points in the stretch.
- Sievers added a three and multiple assists.
- Dordt's defensive pressure forced four turnovers in the span.
The Defenders shot 68% in the quarter and hit 7-of-8 from deep, outscoring Briar Cliff 37–19 to take an 83–51 lead into the fourth.
Dordt led by as many as 38 points (91–53) following a Schoonhoven jumper with 7:26 remaining..
By the Numbers:
- Gracie Schoonhoven matched her career-high with 35 points, making 15 of her 20 field goal attempts on the night
- Schoonhoven went a perfect 3-for-3 from the 3-point line, a career-high
- Macy Sievers added her third triple-double of the season with 20 points, 10 rebounds and matching the school record with 15 assists
- Sievers set the school record last week (Feb.4) at Morningside
- Desta Hoogendoorn contributed 16 points, going 7-for-11 from the field, and pulled down 12 rebounds for her fourth, career double-double
- Dordt shot 51% from the field, 46% (12/26) from the 3-point line
- the Defenders held a huge 52-29 advantage on the boards, including 22 on the offensive glass, leading to 50 points in the paint
- Briar Cliff shot 35% from the field and from the 3-point line (10/28)
- Mallie McNair led hte Chargers with 18 points, one of five BCU players to put in double figures
- Brooklyn Heineman added 12 points and both Abby Lee and Kanna Mongan contributed 11 points
Defender Notes:
- the Defenders shot abover 50% for the third consecutive game and for the ninth time this season
- this was the fourth consecutive game the Defenders made 10-or-more three-pointers
- Dordt has outrebounded its last two opponents by a +55 margin
- Schoonhoven matched her career-high of 35 points set earlier this year against DWU
- this was Schoonhoven's fourth 30-point game of the season
- Schoonhoven has scored in double figures in all but one game this season
- Sievers has scored in double figures in 20 games this season; this was her 8th 20-point game of the season
- Sievers has three triple-doubles this season, four in her career
- Hoogendoorn matched her career-high with 16 points
- this was Hoogendoorn's fourth double-double of the season
- Bleeker has made a three-pointer in 17 straight games
- Burkhart has made a three-pointer in 15 consecutive games
- at halftime of the men's game, Sievers was recognized as the NAIA's Emil S. Liston award winner
