SEWARD, Neb. – After splitting games the past seven days, Concordia University, Nebraska Women’s Basketball earned the eighth seed in the GPAC tournament. The quarterfinal clash features the Bulldogs and No. 1 seed Dordt in Sioux Center on Wednesday, setting the stage for another potential can’t miss showdown. CUNE finished its conference slate with a 9-13 slate and ended with a .500 overall record (14-14).
This Week
GPAC Quarterfinals – Wednesday, Feb. 26 vs. No. 1 Dordt (26-2, 20-2 GPAC), 7 p.m.
-- Live Webcast | Live Stats | Location: De Witt Gymnasium (Sioux Center, Iowa)
GPAC Semifinals – Saturday, March 1 vs. No. 24 Hastings / Northwestern, TBA
--If win on Wednesday
-- Live Webcast | Location: TBA
--Admission: $10 for adults; $3 for students (K-College); GPAC students with ID are admitted free; season passed are not allowed (NAIA issued passes are allowed).
By the numbers
· In the past 10 meetings, these two teams have been like a movie with only a single game finishing in a double digit difference. Ratings and records haven’t mattered in this clash, and the two games from this season prove that it is worth the ticket and expensive buttery popcorn. In the first on Nov. 23, the Bulldogs came back from a 70-58 deficit and were out front (77-74) going into the final minute-and-a-half. Vieselmeyer (27 points) had one of her most dominant outings to date but the Defenders would survive regulation and win in overtime (94-84)in Sioux Center. On Jan. 4, the conference rivals would need extra time to decide a game winner as the two teams were deadlocked (78-78) after Kendal Brigham led the Bulldogs back from 12 points behind. Dordt would seize another overtime win by the skin of their teeth (88-85).
· Head Coach Drew Olson’s squad ended the regular season with a 14-14 overall record that included a signature win over then sixth-ranked Dakota State University (64-54) early in the slate and three overtime defeats. A major highlight occurrred when the Bulldogs won the Concordia Invitational Tournament for the 33rd time in school history and 14th time under Coach Olson. The 2024-25 regular season brought even more accolades such as a GPAC weekly award for Abby Krieser and Kendal Brigham surpassing 1,000 career points.
· In a thrilling game with 14 lead changes, the Bulldogs defeated the Doane Tigers 71-61 in their final Friedrich Arena game on Feb. 19. A decisive 15-1 fourth-quarter run, sparked by Abby Krieser’s three-pointer, sealed the victory. Kristin Vieselmeyer (14 points) and Juliana Jones (10 points, 10 rebounds) dominated the paint, while freshman Makynna Robbins added 10 points and seven rebounds. The Bulldogs forced 20 turnovers, outscored Doane’s bench 33-9, and excelled in rebounds (40). Concordia fell 68-66 to Mount Marty in a close battle in Yankton, finishing the regular season. The Bulldogs started strong with a 19-point first quarter, led by Kendal Brigham’s four 3-pointers, but faltered in the second, scoring just four points. A 23-point third quarter, fueled by Juliana Jones’ 12 points, reclaimed the lead late, but Mount Marty’s Alexus Motley sealed it with a layup and free throw. Despite outshooting the Lancers (43.1%-37.1%), Concordia’s 16 turnovers and Mount Marty’s second-chance points proved to be a couple of deciding numbers.
· Krieser enters the week with 924 career points from 48.2 percent shooting. The Lincoln North Star product has averaged two steals a game in the 2024-25 season and 1.6 in her career. A senior guard, Krieser has grabbed over three rebounds per season in the past three years and 15.5 points per 40 minutes played. The Lincoln, Neb., native is 10 threes from 100 and is a 75.9 percent free throw shooter in her four years. She is tied with Whitney Stichka for career steals (175) at No. 27 all-time.
· Kendal Brigham has amassed 1,227 total career points in 137 games played. The Wahoo, Neb., provenance is currently 22nd in the all time CUNE scoring list and is 12th (340) in assists. With 198 made 3-pointers, Bigham sits three baskets behind Bailey Morris (201). She has 166 steals in her career just ahead of Shelby Quinn (2013-17) at No. 32.
· Once Concordia gets to the GPAC tournament stage, the small town college seems to find glory under the lights as the conference watches for one to become victorious. With seven tournament titles since the GPAC began in the 2000-01 season, the Bulldogs have flourished in post-season play under Coach Drew Olson, who has six titles under his belt (one under Todd Voss). From the 2016-17 campaign to 2019-20, Concordia won four straight and followed with a runner up finish the following year. What might be considered most impressive is they have qualified every year since the conference began.
Concordia Projected Starting Five
G – Kendal Brigham, 5-5 (10.9)
G – Abby Krieser, 5-9 (8.8)
G – Megan Belt, 5-6 (6.9)
F – Abby Heemstra, 6-0 (4.8)
F – Kristin Vieselmeyer, 6-2 (10.3)
GPAC quarterfinal opponent
The first-ranked team in the country, Dordt, earned the No. 1 seed in the conference playoff with a 20-2 conference record. The Defenders haven’t lost in De Witt Gymnasium since Feb. 28, 2023 in the GPAC championship game versus Briar Cliff (86-69). They ended their regular season on a low note with an overtime loss (76-66) at the Corn Palace versus No. 16 Dakota Wesleyan. Dordt has played extra minutes five times (two at home) and has a 4-1 record in bonus play. Averaging 84.7 points as a unit, the Defenders boast a +23 point differential (61.7) when facing opponents. The yellow and black regularly best their opponents in almost every category: rebounds (+14.0), assists (+9.4), steals (+2.4) and blocks (+1.1). Led by all-stars Janie Van Donge (16.9 points) and do-it-all Macy Sievers (15.5), Dordt will rely on its high .477 shooting from the floor and .380 from three. Sievers paces the team in assists (7.2), steals (3.1) and holds second to Donge (10.2) in rebounds (7.5). Sixth woman Gracie Schoonhoven (11.2) and Olivia Harazin (10.8) also average double digits.
Dordt Projected Starting Five
G – Macy Sievers, 5-8 (15.5)
G – Olivia Harazin, 5-7 (10.8)
G – Willow Bleeker, 5-9 (8.4)
F – Ellie Lems, 6-0 (7.3)
F – Janie Van Donge, 5-10 (16.9)
Head Coach: Bill Harmsen (7th season at Dordt)
2025 GPAC Women’s Basketball Tournament
Quarterfinals – Wednesday, Feb. 26
(8) Concordia at (1) Dordt, 6 p.m.
(5) Northwestern at (4) Hastings, 7 p.m.
(6) Morningside at (3) Briar Cliff, 7 p.m.
(7) Doane at (2) Dakota Wesleyan, 7 p.m.
Semifinals – Saturday, March 1
1/8 winner vs. 4/5 winner, time TBA
2/7 winner vs. 3/6 winner, time TBA
Championship – Tuesday, March 4
Semifinal winners, time TBA