No.1 Dordt University used a series of decisive runs in every quarter to cruise to a 97–62 conference victory over Morningside Tuesday night at RVSC-Allee Gym in Sioux City, Iowa.
Dordt earned its 14th straight win, improving to 16-1 in the GPAC, 22-1 overall. They sweep the season series against the Mustangs, who drop to 8-10 in the conference, 13-11 overall.
The Defenders never trailed and broke the game open with extended scoring spurts in the second and third quarters.
Dordt scored the game's first seven points and quickly established control behind aggressive defense and inside scoring. The Defenders led 23–16 at the end of the first, holding Morningside to 31% shooting while forcing early turnovers that fueled transition opportunities.
The game shifted decisively in the second quarter as Dordt erupted for an explosive scoring run, knocking down eight three-pointers in the period and outscoring Morningside 28–16. The Defenders, at one point, outscored the hosts 11-0, aided by three consecutive three-pointers by Aubrey Burkhart (2) and Macy Sievers (1). Dordt led 51-32 at the halftime break.
Dordt continued to apply pressure after halftime, opening the third quarter with another strong run that pushed the lead beyond 20 courtesy of their second 11-0 run. Defensive stops led to quick offense, and the Defenders held Morningside scoreless from three-point range in the period. By the end of the quarter, Dordt had built a 74–45 advantage, effectively removing any doubt.
With the lead secured, Dordt's depth took over in the fourth quarter. The Defenders continued to knock down perimeter shots and finished the night with 19 three-pointers, one shy from matching the program record (20 vs Mount Marty, 2024-25) extending the lead to as many as 40 before closing out the 97–62 win.
Midway into the final quarter, Macy Sievers and Aubrey Burkhart set two, single-game records on the same play as Burkhart drained her ninth three-pointer of the game off the 15th assist by Sievers.
- previous single-game 3-point record (8), held by:
- Payton (Harmsen) Hostetler - 2019 vs Haskell
- Annie Rhinesmith - 2017 vs Morningside
- Paige Engbers - 2016 vs Mayville State
- previous single-game assist record (14) held by:
- Linda Maybie - 1983 vs USD Springfield
By the Numbers:
- Dordt shot 53% from the field and a season-best 63% (19/30) from the 3-point line
- Morningside was limited to 39% from the field, 18% (4/22) from beyond the arc
- both teams shot 18 free throws; Dordt made 10 and Morningside converted 14
- Dordt was outrebounded 35-34 but assisted on 28 of its 34 field goal attempts
- Aubrey Burkhart poured in a career-high 29 points, including a career-best and school record nine three-pointers
- both Desta Hoogendoorn and Olivia Harazin contributed 12 points each
- Macy Sievers added 11 points and a school-record 15 assists
- Lily Vollertsen led the Mustangs with 18 points, one of three Morningside players to score in double figures
- Clancy Brown and Sam Ehlers added 10 points each
Notes:
- this was the ninth straight win for the Defenders against Morningside
- the Defenders shot above 50% for the seventh time this season
- the Defenders 19 made 3-pointers is a season-high and one shy from matching the program record
- Dordt shot a season-best 63% from beyond the arc
- the Defenders were outrebounded for just the third time this season and for the first time since Nov.19 (17 games)
- Burkhart scored in double figures in her second consecutive game and for the 10th time this season
- Hoogendoorn scored in double figures for the eighth time this season
- Harazin scored in double figures in her 11th game this season
- Sievers recorded her 14th double-double of the season, her ninth combining points / assists
- Dordt leads Dakota Wesleyan by one game in the GPAC standings with five left in the regular season
- the Defenders will play at College of Saint Mary on Saturday, Feb. 7 at 2pm
