Box Score Dordt overcame a sluggish first half and clamped down defensively after halftime to secure a 71-65 win over Concordia in GPAC postseason play on Saturday afternoon in Sioux Center.

Box Score (PDF)

Dordt struggled to find rhythm offensively in the opening half as Concordia capitalized on early three-point shooting and forced turnovers to build a 17-13 lead after one quarter. Desta Hoogendoorn scored Dordt's first basket on a layup off a Macy Sievers assist, and Gracie Schoonhoven added a jumper for a 4-2 lead, but Concordia answered with a 7-0 run fueled by a Sara Harley three-pointer and a Juliana Jones jumper for a 7-4 advantage. Willow Bleeker briefly tied the game with a three-pointer off Sievers' pass at the 4:53 mark, but Concordia responded with a 10-6 surge to close the period, highlighted by Ayla Roth's late three-pointer and a steal-and-layup sequence in the final seconds for a 17-13 edge.

Concordia extended its lead to nine points early in the second quarter when Kristin Vieselmeyer drilled a three-pointer and Bree Bunting converted a transition layup for a 22-13 margin with 6:23 remaining in the half. Dordt slowly chipped away as Sievers knocked down a three-pointer and Aubrey Burkhart connected from deep off a Schoonhoven assist to trim the deficit to 25-24. After Concordia rebuilt a six-point lead at 32-26, Hoogendoorn powered inside for a putback basket to cut the lead to 30-29. Concordia scored in the final seconds to take a 32-29 lead into halftime, holding Dordt to just 31.6 percent shooting in the second quarter and limiting consistent offensive flow.

The Defenders flipped the momentum immediately in the third quarter, using defense to ignite a decisive swing. After Concordia pushed its lead to 36-34, Schoonhoven scored inside and Olivia Harazin converted two free throws to tie the game at 34-34. Dordt then held Concordia scoreless from the field for over four minutes while building a 13-2 run. Sievers sparked the surge with two free throws and a mid-range jumper, Schoonhoven added a layup off a Sievers assist, and Bleeker drained a three-pointer from the wing to extend the lead to 49-40 with 1:29 left in the period. During that stretch, Dordt forced turnovers, controlled defensive rebounds, and contested every Concordia possession, limiting the Bulldogs to just 16.7 percent shooting in the quarter.

Dordt maintained its defensive intensity into the fourth quarter and protected its lead despite Concordia's late push. Concordia closed within five points on multiple occasions, but Schoonhoven and Sievers combined for key baskets and free throws to maintain separation. The Defenders held Concordia without a field goal for extended stretches in the second half and forced difficult perimeter attempts while controlling the defensive glass. Dordt matched Concordia's 19 fourth-quarter points and secured the six-point win to advance.

Macy Sievers surpassed 1,000 career assists with her fourth assist and moved to fourth in all-time scoring at Dordt and has 1794 career points.

Dordt will host Dakota Wesleyan on Tuesday night, March 3 at 7pm in the GPAC Championship.  It's the fourth straight year Dordt has advanced to the GPAC title game.

Team Stats Comparison
Field Goals: Dordt 23-58 / Concordia 22-57
Three-Point Field Goals: Dordt 7-25 / Concordia 8-19
Free Throws: Dordt 18-24 / Concordia 13-15
Rebounds: Dordt 38 / Concordia 35
Assists: Dordt 13 / Concordia 13
Turnovers: Dordt 12 / Concordia 14
Blocked Shots: Dordt 3 / Concordia 3
Steals: Dordt 5 / Concordia 7

Dordt Individual Leaders
Points: Gracie Schoonhoven 19; Macy Sievers 18; Aubrey Burkhart 12; Desta Hoogendoorn 10; Willow Bleeker 8
Rebounds: Macy Sievers 12; Desta Hoogendoorn 9; Willow Bleeker 5; Aubrey Burkhart 3; Gracie Schoonhoven 3
Assists: Macy Sievers 10