OMAHA, Neb. – Two-time defending national champion Dordt University showed again on Saturday why it might not be wise to bet against a three-peat.

The top-ranked Defenders used a 20-2 run in the final part of the first quarter to break the game open, and went on to defeat College of Saint Mary 108-54 in Great Plains Athletic Conference basketball at the Lied Fitness Center.

"They are number one for a reason,'' CSM Coach Natalie Miller said. "We struggled in the first half when they started pressing and aggressively trapping. We also got beat in transition too many times.''

The Flames (3-21 overall, 2-16 GPAC) trailed just 13-12 at the 5:27 mark of the first quarter after Lexi Barnes scored on a Haley Debuse assist. However, the rest of the period belonged to the Defenders (23-1, 17-1). Macy Sievers' 3-pointer started the 20-2 run, which left CSM trailing 33-14 after one quarter.

Dordt extended its leads to 58-24 at the half and 81-38 after three quarters.

"Their length presented issues for us on offense, but overall, I felt we played well together and utilized our posts well,'' Miller said.

Jai'La Porter was the lone Flame to score in double figures with 12. Madison Keil had eight points and Barnes pitched in seven.

Kathryn Gaughen led the rebounding category with six, while Madelyn Gaughen and Debuse handed out four assists apiece. The Flames were outrebounded 49-18.

CSM will play its home finale on Wednesday at 6 p.m. with a GPAC contest against Concordia University.