Dordt saw its season come to a close in the NAIA National Championship game on Tuesday night, falling to Marian 73-61 after a strong second-quarter surge was undone by a decisive third period.

Box Score (PDF)

Marian built an early 19-12 lead through one quarter, but the Defenders answered with a 20-9 run in the second period. Trailing 22-12 early in the quarter, Dordt chipped away with a Taylor Drent basket, a Macy Sievers score, and a Willow Bleeker three to get within 23-19. Olivia Harazin followed with a steal and score to make it 23-21, and Dordt eventually grabbed its first lead at 27-26 on a Gracie Schoonhoven basket. After a brief back-and-forth, Schoonhoven scored again and Harazin buried a three at the buzzer to cap the half with Dordt in front 32-28.

The Defenders pushed the lead to 38-35 early in the third quarter after a Sievers free throw sequence, but Marian responded with the game's defining stretch. The Knights used a 14-3 run to turn a 41-39 Dordt advantage into a 49-41 lead, fueled by second-chance opportunities and perimeter shooting. Marian extended that surge to a 17-5 stretch overall, taking a 55-46 lead into the fourth quarter.

Dordt was unable to generate a sustained rally in the final period, getting as close as seven points after a Schoonhoven basket made it 48-55, but Marian answered each push and built the margin to double digits down the stretch.

The loss ends Dordt's season at 34-3 and marks the program's third straight trip to the NAIA National Championship game and fourth in five years. 

• Dordt shot 35.6% from the field compared to Marian's 36.2%
• Dordt was 6-15 (40.0%) from three-point range; Marian was 6-17 (35.3%)
• Marian held a 49-35 rebounding advantage, including 19 offensive rebounds
• Marian outscored Dordt 13-5 on second-chance points
• Dordt had 15 turnovers compared to Marian's 14

• Macy Sievers led Dordt with 15 points, 10 rebounds, and 5 assists
• Gracie Schoonhoven scored 15 points with 5 rebounds
• Aubrey Burkhart added 14 points off the bench on 3-6 shooting from three
• Willow Bleeker contributed 6 points and 5 rebounds
• Desta Hoogendoorn totaled 7 rebounds and 2 blocked shots