Rockford College won it’s own RC Tip-Off Tournament in dramatic fashion, going double-overtime to defeat Hope (Mich.) College, 75-67. The Regents’ (2-0) win was also significant in that the Flying Dutch (1-1) began the season as the #19 ranked team in NCAA III women’s basketball by D3Hoops.com.
Rockford rode the efforts of their Women’s DIII News pre-season All-American Kristina Dorman (Sterling, Ill./Sterling H.S.) to the victory. Dorman – who was named as the tournament’s “Most Valuable Player” – had a double-double of 26 points and 13 rebounds, to go along with three assists and three steals. The junior forward scored 11 of her points in the OT segments. On the night, Dorman drained eight-of-14 shots from the field and was 10-for-14 from the freethrow stripe.
In the two-day event, Dorman scored 45 points and grabbed 21 caroms. She shot 16-for-31 from the field (52%), blocked three shots and had seven assists.
“Kristina had a tremendous game and tournament,” said RC head coach Bob Amsberry. “She came up huge when we needed someone to take over the game. But that’s exactly what I’d expect from a player of her caliber.
“ I was also very encouraged by play of our team as a unit. Angie Snow (Oregon, Ill./Oregon H.S.) and Angie Butler (Forreston, Ill./Forreston H.S.) were both outstanding inside. Their post defense created some problems for Hope. Kristi Strunz (Orfordville, Wis./Parkview H.S.) also showed why she’s been an all-region player in the past. She blew past people on offense and scrapped for every loose ball on defense. Heather Wheeler (Loves Park, Ill./Christian Life H.S) played great defense and was a calming factor for us on offense, getting Dorman the touches she needed for us to win the game.
“It is a big step for our program to get a win over a quality program like that of Hope College. They are truly one of the classiest and most respected NCAA III women’s basketball teams in the nation.”
Strunz – who is a junior transfer from Clarke (Iowa) College – was also tabbed on the all-tournament team. In the finale, Strunz contributed 17 points on a six-for-13 shooting night.
Hope was led by all-tournament picks Bria Ebels (Holland, Mich./Holland H.S.) and Adelynn Vilmann (Houghton, Mich./Houghton H.S.), who tossed in 24 and 15 points, respectively. Vilmann also had 15 boards, while Ebels nailed 6-of-13 three-point shots.