The Briar Cliff women's basketball team fell on the road to #3 Dordt 87-77 in Sioux Center, Iowa Saturday night. Konnor Sudmann and Kennedy Benne led the way scoring 22 and 18 points, respectively.  

The Chargers found themselves down early in the first quarter after shooting 35.7% from the field while Dordt converted on 66.7% of their shot attempts. The Cliff managed to hang around, however, after nearly matching the Defenders in almost every other category. Dordt held the advantage in rebounds (7-6) and points in the paint (16-6) while the Chargers led in assists (3-2), turnovers (1-2), and steals (1-0). A 12-3 run by the Defenders at the end of the quarter found the Chargers down 18-30 after the first 10 minutes.  

In the second quarter, the Charger offense remained steady while Dordt's offense cooled off. The Cliff shot 37.5% from the field compared to 36.8% from the Defenders, allowing BC to outscore Dordt 20-17 in the second quarter. Konnor Sudmann and Kennedy Benne matched each other with 13 points each in the first half. At the break, the score moved to 38-47 in favor of Dordt. 

The third quarter was nearly equal for both teams. Though the Chargers shot 58.3% from the field, Dordt had an answer for every BC bucket. Peyton Wingert and Sudmann were the lone scorers for Chargers. Wingert scored all of her 12 points as Sudmann added the other nine for the Chargers in the third quarter. Both teams scored 21 points, leaving the score 59-68 in Dordt's favor.  

In the final 10 minutes, the Cliff shot over 50%, but Dordt had an answer for the BC buckets once again. In the contest, Dordt's Karly Gustafson scored 29 points and gathered nine rebounds. 

As a team, the Chargers shot 45.6% from the floor and held the advantage in points off turnovers 14-10. However, Dordt won the paint battle outscoring BC 46-24 along with second chance points 16-6.  

Sudmann was the team-high scorer as she posted 22 points alongside seven rebounds, and five assists. Benne closely followed with her 18 points. Peyton Wingert continued her rebounding habits as she tallied eight rebounds and 12 points. Madelyn Deitchler added 10 points and five rebounds.  

The Charger women return to the Newman Flanagan Center on Wednesday, January 18, to face the Red Raiders of Northwestern College at 6:00 p.m. 

#BattleOn