Park City, Kansas — The Dordt Defender women’s basketball team never trailed in securing a 88-52 win over IU East in the opening round of the 64-team NAIA National Championship bracket. The game was played on Friday afternoon in Park City, Kansas at Hartman Arena.
The Defenders took a 6-2 lead after back to back baskets by Ashtyn Veerbeek but IU East answered with a Kami McEldowney field goal to cut the lead to 6-4. The difference was 18-13 with 2:35 left in the first quarter when Dordt went on a 10-0 run to finish the quarter as Ashtyn Veerbeek knocked down a three-point basket to cap the quarter. Veerbeek added a free throw to finish what ended up being an 11-0 run that extended into the second quarter.
The Defenders kept the pressure on the rest of the quarter and led 46-25 at halftime. IU East got a three-point shot to go to start the second half but Dordt scored the next 12 and was never challenged the rest of the game, playing most of the contest at more than a 25-point difference.
Dordt’s three post players all posted triple doubles.
Ashtyn Veerbeek had 18 points, 19 rebounds and four assists with two blocked shots.
Karly Gustafson had 15 points and 10 rebounds and was a perfect 6-6 from the field and 3-3 from the free throw line.
Janie Schoonhoven came off the bench to score 11 with 12 rebounds.
Bailey Beckman had 11 points and Hayden Heimensen added 10 points with five rebounds and four assists.
Dordt had a commanding 57-26 rebounding edge and made 35-69 with for 51 percent success and made 6-15 three-point shots.
IU East made 16-58 field goals and 5-17 three-point baskets.
Dordt will face Sterling (Kansas) on Saturday afternoon, March 12 at 3:00 for the right to move on to the final site in Sioux City, Iowa next week.
