SIOUX CITY, Iowa - [BRACKET | SCHEDULE | Box Scores] The battle for the red banner at the 2022 NAIA Women's Basketball Championship continued on Monday night in the Tyson Events Center as Dordt (Iowa) defeated Southeastern (Fla.) to advance to the championship for the first time and Thomas More (Ky.) def. Central Methodist (Mo.) to advance to the championship for the second time in two years. 

FINAL SCORE: Dordt (Iowa) 53 def. Southeastern (Fla.) 52

Leading for all but just over a minute in the game, the Cinderella run continues for No. 5-seed Dordt (Iowa). Trailing by nine with just under two to play, the Southeastern (Fla.) used a 9-0 run to tie the score with 30.1 seconds left. Bailey Beckman of Dordt knocked down the game-winning free throw with three ticks left on the clock to defeat the fire 53-52 in the Tyson Events Center in Sioux City, Iowa. The defenses were stout for both teams, as each squad was held to under 40% shooting despite both teams shooting over 42% from the floor on the season.

Game Highlights

• Dordt started the contest on an 8-2 run and only trailed for just over a minute the entire game to the Fire.
• Dordt is now 5-1 all-time in the NAIA tournament. Southeastern falls to 14-7.
• Both teams shot under 40% from the floor on the game as both defenses were stout, making it hard for either offense to find a rhythm.
• The Defenders out-rebounded the Fire, holding a +15 advantage (47-32), and grabbed 15 offensive boards. Karly Gustafson of Dordt grabbed the most rebounds tonight with 15.
• For the second time at the NAIA Women’s Basketball Championship, both Ashtyn Veerbeek and Gustafson of Dordt notched double-double performances. Veerbeek led all scorers with 14 points and had 11 boards, Gustafson had 13 points with her 15 rebounds.
• Angela Perry of Southeastern paced the Fire offense with 12 points, while Rebecca Cook collected nine rebounds in the effort.
• Dordt becomes the first Great Plains Athletic Conference (GPAC) team to make a championship game appearance since Concordia (Neb.) made it in 2019.

FINAL SCORE: Thomas More (Ky.) 82 def. Central Methodist (Mo.) 62

Thomas More (Ky.) used lights out shooting, 50.0% from the floor and 34.8% from deep, to advance to the program’s second straight national championship game; defeating Central Methodist (Mo.) 82-62. A 14-0 run in the last five minutes of the first half propelled Thomas More to the win. The Saints outscored the Eagles 27-16 in the third quarter, to build upon their 10-point halftime lead and take control of the contest. Thomas More led by as many as 26 in the second half, led by the play of Alexah Chrisman who had 18 points, two blocks, and two steals to pace the Saints. 

Game Highlights

• Down 34-30 with 5:14 to go in the half, Thomas More used a 14-0 run the rest of the second quarter to take a 10-point 44-34 lead into the locker room. They would never relinquish that lead the rest of the contest.
• Thomas More improves to 9-1 all-time in the NAIA tournament. Central Methodist falls to 14-9.
• The 50.0% field goal percentage on the night eclipses their season average of 45% on the season for Thomas More.
• The Saints bench came to play tonight, outscoring the CMU bench 35-8.
• Three Saints scored in double digits tonight, led by Alexah Chrisman who had 18. Kelly Brenner and Taylor Clos both recorded 14 points, and Alex Smith led the team with six rebounds.
• Daryna Bachkarova led Central Methodist with 19 points on the game, Kedranea Addison grabbed a game-high eight rebounds.
• Thomas More becomes the first team to make back-to-back appearances in the NAIA Women’s Basketball National Championship game since Marian (Ind.) did it in 2016 and 2017.