(SIOUX CITY, Iowa)-No. 1 seed Thomas More University women's basketball team defeated No. 4 seed Dordt on Tuesday evening (March 22), 77-65 to win the NAIA Women's Basketball National Championship. The Saints finish their season with an overall record of 32-4 and 19-2 in conference.
- Senior Kenzie Schwarber (Alexandria, Ky./Campbell County) kicked off the scoring for the Saints by draining a 3-point basket to put the team on the board 3-0 with 9:20 to play in the first quarter.
- With 5:06 to play, junior Zoie Barth (Ft. Thomas, Ky./Highlands) hit a 3-point jump shot to put the Saints up 10-6.
- Junior Summer Secrist (Taylor Mill, Ky./Scott) made a jump shot for the Saints final basket of the first quarter to extend the team's lead to 21-8.
- Graduate student Alexah Chrisman (Greendale, Ind./McAuley) started the scoring for the Saints in the second quarter with a jumper to put the team up by 14 with 8:27 to play in the first half (23-9).
- Sophomore Kelly Brenner (Cincinnati, Ohio/Roger Bacon) hit a jump shot and one with 5:32 to play in the half to make it a 35-11 game.
- Sophomore Maggie Jones (Piner, Ky./Simon Kenton) made a 3-point jump for the Saints final basket of the first half to put the team up 40-15 going into the locker room at the half.
- Barth led the Saints with seven points and had two rebounds and one assist.
- Sophomore transfer Alex Smith (Cincinnati, Ohio/Mercy McAuley) led the Saints with four rebounds and had five points and one assist.
- Secrist also brought down four rebounds to lead the team.
- Chrisman recorded two assists to lead the Saints and had six points and three rebounds.
- The Saints were 46.9% (15-32) from the field, 40% (4-10) from the 3-point line, and 75% (6-8) from the free throw line in the first half.
- Hurst started the first half with a jump shot for the Saints first basket of the second half to extend the Saints lead to 26 with 8:33 to play in the third quarter (42-16).
- Junior Emily Simon (Hilliard, Ohio/Hilliard Davidson) would drain a 3-point basket with 2:34 on the clock in the third quarter to make it a 53-24 game.
- Clos drove to the rim for a layup for the Saints final basket of the third quarter with 40 seconds left (59-28).
- Saints led 59-30 going into the fourth quarter.
- Jones kicked of the scoring for the Saints in the fourth quarter with a jump shot to make it a 61-34 game with 8:05 to play.
- With 6:57 to play, Brenner hit a 3-point jump shot to put the Saints up 64-39.
- Close made two free throw to secure the Saints 77-65 win over Dordt to be the National Champions.
- Chrisman led the Saints with 11 points and four rebounds in the second half.
- Barth recorded three assists to lead the team and had five points and three rebounds.
- Clos had six points and two rebounds in the second half.
- The Saints were 43.8% (14-32) from the field, 25% (3-12) from the 3-point line, and 85.7% (6-7) from the free throw line in the second half.
- Chrisman led the Saints with 16 points and seven rebounds and had two assists to be named the tournament MVP.
- Barth followed with 12 points and five rebounds and led the team with four assists.
- Clos recorded 11 points and five rebounds.
- The Saints were 45.3% (29-64) from the field, 31.8% (7-22) from the 3-point line, and 80% (12-15) from the free throw line.
The Saints closed out their season tonight as the 2022 NAIA Women's Basketball National Champions.
