The Dordt Defenders only trailed once in a win over a previously undefeated Midland team to start GPAC play at 1-0.
Dordt opened the game with back-to-back three pointers from Erika Feenstra and Bailey Beckman to take the early lead. Karly Gustafson added a 5-0 run of her own after checking in as part of an 11-2 run to open the contest.
After Ashtyn Veerbeek’s three gave Dordt a 12-point lead, Midland came back within single digits in the final minutes of the first quarter.
The Defenders had another quick start to the second quarter on a 10-0 run that pushed the lead to 17 off of a three point basket by Macey Nielson and a layup from Mya Chmielewski. Midland found their way back into the game by halftime as Kennedy Darner added a three in the final minute of the half to make Dordt’s lead 35-28 with 20 minutes of play to go.
The third quarter was relatively even on the offensive side, but Dordt’s scoring along with tough defense allowed the Defenders to pull away at the halfway point in the quarter. Erika Feenstra scored a breakaway layup off of Ashtyn Veerbeek’s forced turnover to push the lead to 17.
In the fourth, Midland came back within 10 as Erin Prusa went 2/2 on free throws to make the score 59-50 in favor of Dordt. Following two possessions of layups for each team, Karly Gustafson answered with a three to give Dordt a 12-point lead. Midland came back with a three of their own by Lexi Kraft. In the final minute, Bailey Beckman’s and-one on a steal and score gave Dordt a 14-point lead, and secured the victory with the game going to the Defenders, 70-58.
The Defenders will play their first home game of the season on Wednesday, November 18. Dordt faces Dakota Wesleyan at 6:00 pm in De Witt Gymnasium.
