Ninth-ranked Dakota Wesleyan defeated top-ranked Dordt 84–76 in the GPAC Women’s Basketball Championship game Tuesday night at the DeWitt Gymnasium.
The Tigers avenged two close regular-season losses to the Defenders — both decided by single digits — and controlled much of the second half to capture the conference title.
Dakota Wesleyan shot nearly 60 percent from the field and dominated the paint, outscoring Dordt 44–16 inside.
Dordt was led by Gracie Schoonhoven, who finished with 35 points and eight rebounds despite facing one of the conference’s top defenders.
Head coach Bill Harmsen said Dakota Wesleyan’s interior scoring proved difficult to stop.
The Defenders briefly cut the deficit to three late in the game but were unable to complete the comeback.
Despite the loss, Dordt will host opening-round games of the NAIA national tournament. Harmsen said the focus now turns to preparing for that opportunity.
The NAIA tournament field will be announced on Thursday.
