
SIOUX CENTER, Iowa – A furious fourth quarter rally put the fifth-ranked Concordia University, Nebraska Women’s Basketball team in position to knock off defending national champion and top-ranked Dordt in Sioux Center, Iowa, on Saturday (Nov. 23). The Bulldogs just couldn’t seal the deal. The Defenders put together a 10-0 run to end the overtime period and survived by a count of 94-84. Dordt remained unbeaten despite a career-high 27-point performance from Concordia’s Kristin Vieselmeyer.
Head Coach Drew Olson’s squad slipped to 4-2 (2-1 GPAC) with close defeats coming at the hands of teams currently ranked Nos. 1 and 4 in the NAIA coaches’ poll. This contest had Olson wanting a play or two back from the waning moments of regulation.
“I was super proud of our team for the fight and the toughness that they showed,” Olson said. “We’re down 12 going into that fourth quarter and we could have easily folded. We did everything we could. We mixed up defenses and we had so many players stepping up and making plays. Kristin Vieselmeyer – that’s the best game she’s played. She was big-time. She did such a good job on both ends of the floor. I love this team. I love what we’re doing. I feel bad because I thought we deserved to win, and we didn’t come up with it. We have to learn from it.”
A 70-58 deficit for the Bulldogs gave way to a 77-74 lead in the final minute-and-a-half of regulation. During the Concordia surge, the Defenders managed only two made field goals over an eight-minute stretch in the fourth quarter. The Bulldogs forged in front when Vieselmeyer came through with a three-point play to make it 75-74. The game seesawed in the closing minutes of regulation. Kendal Brigham tied the game, 80-80, with a bucket in the final minute and Concordia had one last possession with a chance to win it before settling for overtime.
Vieselmeyer, Abby Krieser and Makynna Robbins all fouled out during overtime. The back breaker in the extra session came when Janie Van Donge converted a three-point play to boost Dordt’s lead to 89-84. Meanwhile, the Bulldogs netted only one basket in overtime as the Defenders pulled away. Olivia Harazin paced Dordt with 20 points as one of six Defenders in double figures.
A junior from Holyoke, Colo., Vieselmeyer bested her previous career best of 21 points attained at the 2023 Concordia Invitational Tournament. Against Dordt, Vieselmeyer made 9-of-15 shots from the floor in showing versatility to score inside and out. She stepped out beyond the arc and drained 4-of-7 shots. Three teammates joined her double figures: Brigham (16), Raelyn Kelty (13) and JJ Jones (11). Kelty also swiped four steals and Krieser added seven points and three steals.
Concordia shot 38.9 percent from the field compared to 42.9 percent shooting for the Defenders (7-0, 3-0 GPAC). Dating back to last season, the Defenders have won 16-straight games overall and have not been beaten at home since Feb. 28, 2023.
As for the Bulldogs, they are a team that’s growing up fast. Said Olson, “It’s a credit to what they did this offseason. Many of them knew that they had a responsibility and had a big opportunity. They worked really hard to be ready for it. You’re seeing it now with how well they are all playing. Our theme is selflessness, and I think it’s evident that’s why we’ve been able to play so well so early. They’re ready when called.”
The Bulldogs will be back at home on Tuesday to host Midland (1-4, 1-1 GPAC) at 6 p.m. CT. Concordia has won each of the past seven meetings with the Warriors, who have a first-year head coach in Chris Burks. Following the matchup with Midland, the Bulldogs will have the rest of Thanksgiving week off from competition.