SIOUX CITY, IOWA [BOX SCORE | BRACKET] – In the 2026 NAIA Women’s Basketball National Championship, the Marian (Ind.) Knights defeated the Dordt (Iowa) Defenders, 73–61.
The Knights set the tone early in their season with a string of dominant wins, including scoring over 100 points four times before January and shooting above 50 percent in many of those contests. Even when challenged on the road, Marian responded with discipline and balance, stacking quality conference wins against Bethel (Ind.), Grace (Ind.), Indiana Wesleyan and Saint Francis (Ind.) after midseason setbacks tested their resilience. Defensively, they routinely held opponents under 50 points, while their ability to score inside, get to the free-throw line, and hit timely three-pointers made them difficult to slow down.
As the postseason arrived, the Knights won both the Crossroads League regular season and tournament championships to secure their spot in the NAIA Championship as hosts of the First and Second Rounds. Marian elevated its play, posting convincing victories in the tournament rounds, including decisive wins over Haskell (Kan.), Columbia (Mo.), Shawnee State (Ohio) and Campbellsville (Ky.), before grinding out a tough semifinal win against Dakota Wesleyan (S.D.) and advancing to the championship game for the third time. Both previous championship appearances resulted in taking home a Red Banner.
The Defenders opened the year with commanding wins, quickly establishing themselves as a top offensive team by consistently scoring in the 80s and 90s while shooting efficiently from the field. As conference play unfolded, Dordt handled close games and defensive battles alike in stride, showing poise in narrow victories over Northwestern (Iowa), Hastings (Neb.) and Dakota Wesleyan, setting the team up to be the conference regular-season champions and earn its spot in the championship field. The team had a late-season setback against Dakota Wesleyan in the Great Plains Athletic Conference Tournament, but Dordt regrouped for another win streak that started in the First Round of the national championship on the team’s home court, catapulting them back into the championship game in Sioux City.
Their postseason run featured explosive scoring performances, including a 120-point outburst in the First Round, followed by disciplined, physical wins against Rocky Mountain (Mont.), MidAmerica Nazarene (Kan.) and Saint Francis (Ind.). With a mix of perimeter shooting, strong interior finishing, and consistent free-throw shooting, Dordt continued its run by defeating Dakota State (S.D.) and earning a spot in the championship game. Dordt returns to the championship game for the fourth time in program history in the last five years.
The only other time these teams have met in championship history was in the 2025 National Tournament Quarterfinals, where Dordt defeated Marian 82-61.
To start the contest, the Knights controlled the opening stretch and led 19–12 after the first quarter. Dordt responded with its best period in the second, outscoring Marian 20–9 to take a 32–28 halftime lead.
The game flipped after the break when the Knights exploded for a 27-point third quarter, turning a four-point halftime deficit into a 55–46 advantage. Marian added an 18–15 edge in the fourth to finish the job and secure the 12-point win.
The Knights owned a 49–35 rebounding advantage. Marian was also able to outshoot Dordt, shooting 36.2% from the floor compared to the Defenders’ 35.6%.
Madisyn Bailey of Marian led all scorers with a career high 23 points, with two from deep, along with going 7–of-8 from the charity stripe and adding four assists. Abbey McNally followed with 17 points and a monster 15 rebounds for a double-double in the victory, as well as tallying three blocks. Kenna Kirby added 14 points for the Knights on efficient shooting, going 5–of-11 from the floor and 2-of-3 from beyond the arc. Kiley McNally also totaled eight points and 12 rebounds on the night.
For Dordt, Macy Sievers led the way with 15 points, 10 rebounds, and five assists. Gracie Schoonhoven also tallied 15 points with five rebounds and two blocks. Aubrey Burkhart provided a spark off the bench, contributing 14 points, which included three from three.
With the loss, the Defenders finish the season at 34-3.
Marian finishes the season 35-2, and with the 2026 NAIA Women’s Basketball National Championship Red Banner! With the win, Marian Head Coach Suntana Anderson is the 10th female head coach to win an NAIA Women’s Basketball National Title. This is the 14th time overall that a female head coach has led their team to win a championship.
ALL-TOURNAMENT TEAM
1st Team
- Rylee Rosenquist, Dakota Wesleyan (S.D.)
- Madison Bailey, Marian (Ind.)
- Gracie Schoonhoven, Dordt (Iowa)
- Macy Sievers, Dordt (Iowa)
- Abby McNalley, Marian (Ind.)
2nd Team
- Bria Wasmund, Dakota State (S.D.)
- Avery Broughton, Dakota Wesleyan (S.D.)
- Tabor Teel, Dakota State (S.D.)
- Willow Bleeker, Dordt (Iowa)
- Kiley McNalley Marian (Ind.)
Hustle Award – Macy Sievers, Dordt (Iowa)
Tournament MVP – Abby McNalley, Marian (Ind.)
