In a thrilling 2025 NAIA Women's Basketball Championship, Dordt (Iowa) successfully defended its title with a win over Indiana Wesleyan, culminating in a final score of 82-73. The teams earned their way into the championship field as regular season and conference tournament champions of their respective conferences. They were placed on opposite sides of the bracket but found themselves facing each other for the first time in Sioux City, Iowa, inside the Tyson Events Center for the 2025 title. Both teams entered the final battle for the Red Banner with 34 wins on the season. And both boast previous titles, Dordt in 2024, looking to go back-to-back, and Indiana Wesleyan in 2007 and 2013, looking to break the 11-year span since their last title. The game was marked by a dynamic first half, where Dordt established a lead, outscoring Indiana Wesleyan 43-29. Although Indiana Wesleyan made a strong push in the final quarter, scoring 29 points, it was not enough to overcome Dordt's lead. Standout performances from Macy Sievers (5'8''-G) and Gracie Schoonhoven (5'11''-G) drove Dordt to victory. Sievers was instrumental, with an impressive double-double, scoring 25 points and securing 11 rebounds. She also contributed significantly with 12 assists, demonstrating her playmaking abilities. Schoonhoven added a crucial 19 points, making her presence felt off the bench. Janie Van Donge was perfect from the field, contributing 15 points and grabbing eight rebounds, further solidifying Dordt's lead in the game. The team's strong shooting performance, hitting 61.2% from the field, was a key factor in their victory. Indiana Wesleyan fought valiantly, with Maddie Lawrence (6'0''-F) leading the team with 17 points. Taylor Folkema (5'11''-G) also made a notable impact, achieving a double-double with 13 points and 10 rebounds. Despite their efforts, Indiana Wesleyan struggled with turnovers, committing 17 compared to Dordt's 13. Dordt improved its all-time championship record to 19-3.
Courtesy of: naia.org