No.1 Dordt University controlled the game from start to finish with a series of decisive runs to defeat Rocky Mountain (Mont.) 85–54 Saturday afternoon in the NAIA Women's Basketball National Championship Second Round at the DeWitt Gymnasium.
The Defenders advance to the final site and the round of 16 for the fifth consecutive year where they will play 10th-ranked MidAmerica Nazarene (Kan.) on Thursday, March 19 at 6pm. Dordt improves to 31-2 this season.
After an even start to the opening quarter, Dordt seized control with its first major run of the afternoon. The Defenders scored 12 of the next 15 points midway through the period, using paint touches and transition opportunities to build separation. Gracie Schoonhoven sparked the surge with finishes at the rim, while Macy Sievers directed the offense as Dordt closed the quarter on a 9–2 run to take a 26–14 lead after one.
Momentum swung heavily in Dordt's favor during the second quarter, as the Defenders put together the most decisive stretch of the game. Dordt's pressure defense forced repeated Rocky Mountain turnovers (8), leading to a 16-5 run that stretched the lead from 14 to 23 by quarters end. Rocky Mountain was limited to just five points in the quarter, while Dordt converted steals into fast-break layups and extended the advantage to 42–19 at the halftime break.
Dordt answered every challenge and run brought on by the the Battlin' Bears in the third quarter and prevented the guests from cutting into the Defenders lead. The Defenders used a late third-quarter run and carried a 66–39 lead into the final period.
Dordt quickly removed any doubt early in the fourth quarter, opening with a 9–2 run to push the lead beyond 30. From there, the Defenders maintained control, continuing to score inside and at the free-throw line while rotating players down the stretch. Dordt led by as many as 34 points before closing out the 85–54 victory.
Rocky Mountain ends the season with a 21-10 record.
By the Numbers:
- four Defenders scored in double figures, led by Gracie Schoonhoven with a game-high 26 points, 18 coming in the first half
- Macy Sievers recorded her second double-double in as many nights with 18 points and 13 rebounds
- both Olivia Harazin and Desta Hoogendoorn contributed 11 points for the Defenders
- Dordt shot 44% for the game and 79% (15/19) from the free throw line
- the Defenders held a slight edge (37-35) on the glass and pulled down 11 offensive boards which led to 12 second-chance points
- Dordt forced Rocky Mountain into 23 turnovers and committed just six
- Rocky Mountain shot 37% for the game, 50% (8/16) from the 3-point line
- Isabelle Heggem, the Frontier Conference Defensive Player of the Year, scored 21 points and was the only Battlin Bears player to score in double figures
Notes:
- Dordt improved its NAIA postseason record to 21-3 and pushed its win streak to 14 at the national tournament
- this was the first ever match-up between Dordt and Rocky Mountain
- the Defenders held Rocky Mountain to well below their season scoring average (72ppg)
- Dordt's 85 points scored was the third most given up by Rocky Mountain this season and over 20 points more than the Bears season average against
- Schoonhoven has scored in double figures in 10 straight and 32 overall games this season
- this was Schoonhoven's 22nd game with 20-plus points this season
- Sievers tallied her 17th double-double of the season and 37th for her career
- Harazin scored in double figures for the 12th time this season
- Hoogendoorn scored in double figures for the 12th time this season
