No.1 Dordt University opened the 2026 NAIA Women's Basketball National Championship with a statement performance, using sustained runs in every quarter to roll past Simpson (Calif.) 120–47 on Friday evening in the De Witt Gymnasium.
The Defenders improve to 30-2 on the season and will play No.22 Rocky Mountain (Mont.) in a second round match-up on Saturday, March 14 with tip-off at 3pm.
Dordt wasted little time establishing control, opening the game on an 13-0 over the first two-plus minutes. Macy Sievers and Willow Bleeker sparked the surge with back-to-back three-pointers, forcing an early Simpson timeout. That momentum continued as the Defenders extended the lead to 26–2 midway through the quarter after consecutive baskets by Sievers, Aubrey Burkhart and Gracie Schoonhoven. Dordt shot nearly 80 percent from the field in the opening frame and closed the quarter on a 14–6 run to take a commanding 39–15 advantage after one.
Defense was key in the second quarter as Dordt held Simpson to just five points and forced the Red Hawks into 13 turnovers en route to a 73-20 haltime lead. Dordt continued to shoot well as they made 7-of-10 three-pointers in the first half and better than 70% from the field.
Dordt continued to control the game in the third behind the inside play of Desta Hoogendoorn and Miylie Zomer, who combined for 12 points and helped the Defenders extend the lead beyond 50. Dordt outscored Simpson 25–16 in the quarter to carry a 98–36 advantage into the final period.
With the outcome well in hand, Dordt outscored Simpson 22-11 in the fourth quarter to get its largest margin of victory this season. A trio of three-pointers, one by Ava Lingemann and two from Stella Charleston, during the final two minutes helped Dordt set the single-game scoring record, eclipsing the old record (117) set earlier this season against Waldorf.
Simpson, making its second national tournament appearance, ends the season with a 17-8 record.
By the Numbers:
- Dordt shot a season-best 63% for the game and held Simpson to 27% from the field
- the Defenders shot 55% (12/22) from beyond the arc and converted 80% (24/30) from the free throw line
- Dordt held a commanding 50-27 edge on the boards
- the Defenders scored 28 points off turnovers and held a 16-0 edge in fast break points
- Macy Sievers scored a game-high 19 points and also dished out 10 assists in 20 minutes of court time
- Gracie Schoonhoven contributed 16 points (8/11 from the field) and four assists
- Miylie Zomer netted a career-high 14 points and pulled down five rebounds
- Aubrey Burkhart added 13 points for the balanced Defenders offense
- all 14 Defenders scored and played at least six minutes in the game
- Simpson was led by Anna Marshall with 14 points
Notes:
- this was the first ever match-up played between Dordt and Simpson
- the Defenders are playing in their fifth straight and seventh overall NAIA National Championship Tournament
- Dordt earned its 13 straight win in the NAIA National Championship and improved to 20-3 all-time at the tournament
- the 120 points is a program record, surpassing the old mark of 117 set earlier this season
- Sievers recorded her 16th double-double of the season, 36th of her career
- Schoonhoven scored in double figures in her ninth straight game and for the 31st time this season
- Zomer recorded the first double-digit scoring game of her career
- Burkhart has made a three-pointer in 22 straight games
- this was the 20th game the Defenders totaled 10-plus steals
