The Dordt Defenders used an 11-0 run to start the game and finished with a 16-6 late surge to pull away from Dakota State for an 83-69 win at the Tyson Events Center, advancing to the NAIA National Championship game for the third consecutive season and the fourth time in five years.
Box Score (PDF)
Dordt opened the game on an 11-0 run behind a pair of baskets from
Gracie Schoonhoven and early transition scoring from
Macy Sievers. Dakota State didn't get on the board until several minutes into the contest and struggled to find rhythm. The Trojans answered with a brief 6-2 stretch to cut the lead to 13-6, but Dordt quickly regained momentum. A Schoonhoven inside finish and a Sievers push in transition sparked another surge, and the Defenders closed the quarter on a 10-5 run to take a commanding 25-11 lead after one period.
Dakota State settled in during the second quarter and began to chip away at the deficit with perimeter shooting. A pair of three-pointers keyed a 10-4 run that trimmed the Dordt lead to 29-21. Dordt answered immediately as Schoonhoven scored on consecutive possessions and Sievers added a driving basket to ignite a 6-0 response, stretching the lead back to 35-21. The Trojans continued to battle and closed the half on an 8-4 run, but Dordt maintained control and took a 39-29 advantage into halftime.
The Trojans made their strongest push coming out of the break. Dakota State opened the third quarter on a 9-4 run to cut the deficit to 43-38, applying pressure and forcing a Dordt timeout. Out of the break, the Defenders responded with one of the game's decisive stretches. Sievers converted in transition and assisted on back-to-back Schoonhoven baskets to fuel a 7-0 run that pushed the lead back to 50-38. Dakota State trimmed the margin again to eight, but Dordt answered once more, closing the quarter on a 13-8 run with contributions from
Olivia Harazin on the glass and a late Sievers jumper to take a 63-54 lead into the fourth.
Dakota State chipped into the lead and had the difference at four midway through the period before Dordt finished on a 16-6 run, getting several runout baskets for the  83-69 victory.
The Defenders shot 47.4 percent from the field compared to 38.2 percent for Dakota State and held a 48-37 advantage on the glass.
Team Statistics
- Field Goals: Dordt 36-76 (47.4%) / Dakota State 26-68 (38.2%)
- 3-Point Field Goals: Dordt 6-18 (33.3%) / Dakota State 9-27 (33.3%)
- Free Throws: Dordt 5-8 (62.5%) / Dakota State 8-11 (72.7%)
- Rebounds: Dordt 48 / Dakota State 37
- Assists: Dordt 22 / Dakota State 15
- Turnovers: Dordt 12 / Dakota State 19
- Points Off Turnovers: Dordt 25 / Dakota State 14
Dordt Individual Leaders
With the win, Dordt improves to 34-2 overall and advances to the NAIA National Championship game, continuing one of the most consistent runs in program history. Dordt will face Marian (Indiana) in the title game on Tuesday, March 24 at 7pm.   Â
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