No.1 Dordt University outscored No.16 Bethel (Tenn.) 48-24 in the second half and defeated the Wildcats 84-52 in the first national semifinal game of the 2025 NAIA Women’s Basketball National Championship played Monday evening at the Tyson Events Center in Sioux City, Iowa.
The Defenders, who improve to 34-2, advance to their second consecutive national title game and third in the last four years. They will play No.4 Indiana Wesleyan at 7pm.
Janie Van Donge led the Defenders with 20 points and a season-high 16 boards, two shy of her career high, recording her 20th double-double of the season. Gracie Schoonhoven scored 15 points, reaching double figures in her fourth straight game, and Macy Sievers netted 14 points and distributed 11 assists for her 12th double-double of the season.
With Bethel up by three (26-23) after Mid-South Freshman of the Year Micah Hart knocked down a three-pointer following the media timeout in the second quarter, Dordt closed with a 13-2 decisive run for a 36-28 halftime lead. Dordt made its final four field goal attempts of the half and five different players scored during the surge, led by Van Donge and Desta Hoogendoorn with five and four points, respectively. Defensively, the Defenders buckled down as well, limiting Bethel to just one field goal over the final 4:30.
The Defenders scored the first six points of the third quarter, pushing their run to 19-2, as they opened up a 14-point lead (42-28) on a jumper by Ellie Lems. Bethel closed the gap to 11 (47-36) after a three-point play from Micah Hart at the 3:08 mark of the third quarter. Dordt, however, thwarted the Wildcats surge with an 11-3 run of its own, spearheaded by three-pointers from Sievers and Willow Bleeker for a 58-39 advantage by quarters end.
Dordt put the game away with a 16-5 run to start the fourth quarter, led by Van Donge and Schoonhoven who combined for 10 points during the 4-plus minute stretch.
Micah Hart led Bethel with 20 points on 6-of-17 from the field and Madison Hart scored 13, four points below her season average, but was held to just two points in the second half. Bethel, one of six teams from the Mid-South Conference in the overall field of 64, ends the season with a 27-8 overall record
The Defenders trailed most of the first quarter and did not take the lead until a three-point play by Schoonhoven finished off an 8-0 run at the close of the quarter for a 17-14 advantage.
The Briar Cliff Charger women’s basketball memorable season came to a close, falling to the Indiana Wesleyan Wildcats 69-70 in the semifinal round of the NAIA Women’s Basketball National Tournament.
Midway through the opening frame, the Chargers went on a 6-0 run with Mallie McNair scoring four points during the stretch. The Wildcats would finish 7-0 run to take a 13-10 lead after one quarter of play.
Grace Flanagan knocked down a pair of free throws to start the second quarter to spark a 9-2 run. Flanagan drilled a three followed by Kenna Mongan’s three to give BCU a 19-15 lead. A triple from Flanagan along with a layup from Adrianna Webster gave the Chargers a 31-25 lead heading into the break.
Trailing by six with 5:45 remaining in the contest, Taylor Sodman brought the Chargers within one after knocking down a jumper and drilling a three a possession later. The Wildcats responded with a basket to take a three-point lead. McNair quickly tied the game with a three.
In the final minute, the Wildcats clung to a two-possession lead and the Chargers were forced to intentionally foul. Following a Kennedy Benne layup with seven seconds left, the Wildcats split the free throws on the other end. Off the board, Benne kicked it to Brooklyn Heineman who raced down and was fouled on a three-point attempt. Heineman made the first two and intentionally missed the third to give the Chargers one final shot with a second on the clock. Webster corralled the offensive board but her shot fell as time expired and the Chargers fell by one point.
McNair paced the Chargers with 18 points and knocked down three triples. Flanagan finished with 13 points followed by Benne’s 12 points. Sodeman added eight points and shot 50% from the floor followed by Mongan’s seven points.
The Chargers finished the season with a 30-6 overall mark. That marks the programs the third time achieving 30 wins in a single season and third most in a single season.
KIWA Staff Photo
