November 11, 2025
SIOUX FALLS, S.D. – In a clash between two of the NAIA's top five teams, No. 1 Dordt (Iowa) fended off a spirited rally from No. 4 Dakota State (S.D.) to earn an 86-82 victory Tuesday night at the Sanford Sports Complex at the Pentagon. The Defenders, a two-time defending NAIA national champion, improved to 4-0 while the Trojans slipped to 3-1 in their first loss this season.
First Half Highlights
Dordt raced to an early 23-11 lead after the opening quarter, powered by 13 points from forward Gracie Schoonhoven, who scored five of her first five field goals. The Defenders' defensive pressure forced seven Trojan turnovers in the period and blocked three shots to seize control.
Dakota State regrouped in the second frame, with
Ella Carstensen igniting the offense for eight points and a block, while
Angelina Chapple came off the bench to knock down a three and hit two shots. Dordt's shooting cooled to 15 points in the second, but the Defenders still led 38-33 at the break.
Third Quarter Highlights
Both teams traded runs in a high-scoring third period. Dordt stretched its advantage to double digits behind Macy Sievers, who dished out 11 assists overall and attacked the rim to finish with 23 points.
Carstensen continued her breakout night for the Trojans with seven in the quarter, while
Cierra Watkins added five points and
Hamtyn Heinz drilled a pair of threes. Dakota State shot 50 percent in the frame but still trailed 64-57 heading to the fourth.
Fourth Quarter Highlights
The final 10 minutes featured relentless back-and-forth play. Dakota State erupted for 25 points, sparked by
Bria Wasmund's seven in the period and key baskets from
Caitlin Dyer and
Tabor Teel inside.
A late three from Carstensen cut the deficit to two possessions, but Dordt's free-throw shooting sealed it—going 22-for-27 at the line compared to DSU's 11-for-18.
Olivia Harazin and Schoonhoven each added clutch buckets down the stretch to preserve the Defenders' narrow win.
Team Leaders
- Dakota State: Carstensen posted a double-double with career-highs of 22 points and 12 rebounds, shooting 8-of-13 and 3-of-4 from deep. Watkins followed with 15 points, eight rebounds, and two blocks. Wasmund contributed 11 points and three assists, and Teel tallied eight rebounds, three steals, and two assists. DSU shot 47.6 percent overall (30-of-63 field goals) and 39.3 percent from three-point line (11-of-28 3-pointers).
- Dordt: Schoonhoven and Sievers shared team-high honors with 23 points apiece—Schoonhoven going 10-of-15 from the field with nine rebounds, while Sievers added 11 free throws and eight rebounds. Harazin contributed 20 points, and Willow Bleeker hit three threes to total 13 points. Dordt shot 41 percent from the floor (29-of-70 field goals) and 82 percent at the line (22-of-27 free-throws).
By the Numbers
- Points in the paint: Dordt 40, DSU 38
- Points off turnovers: Dordt 26, DSU 9
- Bench points: DSU 39, Dordt 5
- Blocks: DSU 8, Dordt 4
- Rebounds: DSU 40, Dordt 38
Up Next
Dakota State kicks off their 22-game Frontier Conference basketball schedule Saturday afternoon, visiting their traveling partner Bellevue (Neb.). The game is set for 2 p.m. at BU Fieldhouse in Bellevue, Neb.
