SIOUX CENTER, Iowa.- The Battlin' Bear women earned their ninth NAIA National Championship qualification and their eighth trip since the 2016-17 season, taking on Southern Oregon on Friday evening in the First Round in Sioux Center, Iowa.   

Tournament Schedule

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Friday, March 13th - First Round
#1 Dordt University vs #16 Simpson University - 4:30 pm (MT)
#8 Rocky Mountain College vs #9 Southern Oregon - 6:30 pm (MT)

Saturday, March 14th - Second Round
Winner of Game #1 vs Winner of Game #2 - 2:00 pm (MT)

Rocky's Season in Review

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The Battlin' Bears recorded their second-consecutive 20-win season and their fourth since the shortened 2020-21 season, totaling an overall record of 20-9, including a conference record of 17-5 in a competitive Frontier Conference. 

Rocky came on strong to close the regular season, winning their final five regular-season games, all by double-figure margins.  They were tripped up by a hot shooting MSU-Northern squad in the quarterfinals of the Frontier Conference Tournament, but still earned an At-Large berth into the NAIA National Championships. 

The Battlin' Bear offense has been the focal point this season, scoring 72.4 points per game. Efficiency from three-point range has been key, as Rocky ranks 11th in the NAIA in three-point percentage (35.1%) and 17th in made three-pointers per game (8.0). Paige Wasson sits four threes away from the single-season program record of 89 (Liz Lewis - 2008-09), converting at a 37.6% clip this season. Angelina Cavanaugh has totaled an ultra-efficient 45% from deep, while Gabriella Biittner also shoots north of 40% on the season at 42.9%. 

Paige Wasson's 599 points this season rank second in program history in a single season, trailing only N'Dea Flye (2021-22; 659 points), as the sophomore ranks tenth in the NAIA in points per game (20.7). 

Isabelle Heggem has been one of the top defenders in the NAIA all season, breaking Rocky's program record for rebounds in a single season with 340, the third most in the NAIA this season. She also sits just six blocks away from the program record, recording 77 this season, a mark that ranks third in the NAIA. The sophomore ran away with the Frontier Conference Defensive Player of the Year award.  

In ten games versus NAIA National Championship qualifying teams, the Battlin' Bears were 5-5 overall. The Battlin' Bears hold an overall record of 4-7 in the NAIA National Championship, looking for their first win since their First Round win over Menlo in 2023, and their first trip to Sioux City since their Quarterfinals run in 2022. 

Meet the Teams

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#1 Dordt University 
The Defenders of Dordt University finished the regular season as the No. 1-ranked team in the NAIA, earning a No. 1 seed and an automatic berth into the NAIA National Championship after winning the Regular Season Championship in the Great Plains Athletic Conference. This season marks the two-time defending national champions' seventh appearance in the National Championships. 

Dordt finished the regular season with an overall record of 29-2, with one of their two losses coming in the GPAC Conference Tournament Championship to Dakota Wesleyan. The Defenders boast one of the top offensives in the NAIA, ranking fifth in points per game (85.8), eighth in field goal percentage (47.0%), sixth in three-point percentage (36.3%), third in overall offensive efficiency (1.115), and eighth in assists per game (18.5). 

Senior guard Macy Sievers was named the GPAC Player of the Year, averaging 16.2 points per game, 9.1 assists per game (2nd most in the NAIA), 3.1 steals, and 7.7 rebounds. Junior guard Gracie Schoonhoven leads the Defenders in scoring, averaging 22.2 points per game this season, including impressive shooting percentages of 63.5% from the field and 42.5% from three. 

#9 Southern Oregon University
The Raiders of Southern Oregon enter the NAIA National Championship as a nine-seed, boasting an overall record of 19-10 and earning an At-Large bid. The appearance marks the 16th in their program history. 

Southern Oregon finished sixth in the competitive Cascade Collegiate Conference during the regular season, falling in the CCC Tournament quarterfinals to Lewis-Clark State College. The Raiders stumbled to finish the season, losing their last three contests. Southern Oregon is a stout defensive unit, ranking ninth in the NAIA in points per game allowed (54.7), while forcing 21.4 turnovers per game. 

All-CCC honoree Bridgette McIntyre, a senior guard, paces SOU offensively, averaging 15.3 points per game. Her 93 made three-pointers on the season ranks third in the NAIA overall, while she boasts the highest free throw percentage in the NAIA at 95.2%. Senior forward Eliza DiGiulio was also an All-Cascade Conference performer, averaging 12.5 points per game and 4.2 rebounds, shooting 43.6% from the field and 43.3% from three-point range. 

#16 Simpson University
The Red Hawks of Simpson University enter the NAIA National Championship as a 16-seed, earning an automatic berth after winning the Cal Pac Conference Tournament Championship. The appearance marks the second in their program history, following their last appearance in the NAIA National Championship Tournament in 2023. 

Simpson totaled an overall record of 17-7, including a record of 6-1 in conference play, defeating Northern New Mexico College in the Cal Pac Conference Tournament title game, the first of their program's history. A pesky defensive group forces 20.8 turnovers per game while averaging 65.3 points per game on offense. 

Senior guard Anna Marshall was the Cal Pac Player of the Year, averaging 17.0 points per game, 2.9 steals, and 5.5 rebounds per game. Junior guard Destiny Nichols was the Newcomer of the Year, averaging 15.9 points per game, while shooting 46.2% from the field and swiping 2.3 steals per game.