The Dordt Defenders and Morningside Mustangs played in Wednesday night’s matchup between two teams in the top three of the GPAC standings coming into the event. #11 Morningside would get the win 82-73.
The defensive intensity was high from the beginning, but the Defenders broke through in the back half of the first quarter, as Mya Chmielewski made a three in the corner with 4:43 remaining to put Dordt up 7-3 and jumpstart the offense. Dordt scored the next six points as Jordyn Winterfeld’s driving layup and baskets by Ashtyn Veerbeek and Karly Gustafson pushed the lead to 13-5 before Morningside’s next made basket, and Dordt took a 15-9 lead into the second quarter.
In the opening minutes of the second quarter, Sierra Mitchell gave Morningside nine points in a row on three made three-point field goals before Baylee Tetzlaff made a three to end the run. Morningside extended their lead to 27-22 when Dordt went on a run to regain the lead. Dordt’s 8-0 run, completed by Hilary Albrecht’s three off of the skip pass from Mya Chmielewski, gave the Defenders a 30-27 lead with two minutes left in the half. Both teams traded baskets for the remainder of the half, and Morningside led 35-34 after two quarters of play.
Early in the third quarter, Dordt built their lead out to 14 points as Ashtyn Veerbeek’s made three gave the Defenders a 54-40 lead. Morningside then went on a 19-2 run to take a 59-56 lead in the final minute of the third quarter. Morningside continued their consistent shooting effort throughout the final quarter, holding a double-digit lead through the last four minutes of the game.
Dordt is now 11-8 and Morningside is 16-2
Dordt will play on Saturday, January 23 in Crete, Nebraska for a matchup with Doane. Tip-off is scheduled for 2:00 pm.
