The Briar Cliff women's basketball team dominated in their top-25 matchup against Dakota Wesleyan on Wednesday night at the Corn Palace in Mitchell, South Dakota. The Chargers hoping to move up in the national rankings as well as the GPAC standings, prevailed with a 65-48 victory.

The Chargers partook in a defensive battle with the Tigers in the first quarter and trailed 6-11 after 10 minutes, the Chargers' lowest scoring quarter of the season. The Cliff shot 18.8% from the field with five turnovers whereas Dakota Wesleyan shot 38.5% with four turnovers.
 
Briar Cliff stuck close but trailed again by three points at the conclusion of the second quarter. The Chargers caught fire in the second quarter shooting 50% while the Tigers shot an outstanding 80% from the field. Though the Cliff heated up, the score remained 26-29 heading into the locker room.
 
The Cliff made the needed halftime adjustments and outscored Dakota Wesleyan 20-8 to lead by nine at the end of the third quarter. Briar Cliff opened the third quarter on an 11-2 scoring run that didn't waver throughout the rest of the quarter. The Chargers forced five turnovers in the third quarter, scoring 10 points off those turnovers.
 
The fourth quarter was similar to the third where the Cliff was able to keep their momentum and outscore the Tigers 19-11. The Chargers and Tigers traded buckets late in the quarter, but it proved to not be enough for Dakota Wesleyan as Briar Cliff won the top-25 matchup by 17.
 
In the second half, the game was controlled by the Chargers. Outscoring Dakota Wesleyan 39-19, the Chargers showed their swarming defensive presence by forcing 11 turnovers. Briar Cliff found their rhythm from the field following the first quarter, shooting 45.8% at the conclusion of the contest.
 
Konnor Sudmann had another game-high 21 points, recording four rebounds, four blocks and five assists. Madelyn Deitchler nearly recorded a double-double performance as she posted 17 points along with nine rebounds and one assist. Sudmann and Deitchler were the only Chargers to score in double digits. Payton Slaughter added seven points and seven rebounds. 

The Chargers held an advantage in points off turnovers 30-8 and points in the paint 38-24.
 
The Briar Cliff women will have a quick turnaround as they face Doane on Saturday, January 7, at the Newman Flanagan Center in Sioux City, Iowa.