The #9 ranked Charger women's basketball team extended their winning streak to eight, after taking down cross-town rival Morningside 84-69 Wednesday evening inside Allee Gym. Rachel Langel got it done on both ends of the floor, recording a double-double with 19 points, 11 rebounds, and two blocks. Kennedy Benne excelled on both ends of the floor as well, recording 15 points, seven rebounds, and five steals.
 
Both teams traded baskets in the early going of the contest, as the contest was tied 12-12 with little over three minutes remaining in the first. The Chargers went on a 5-0 run, capped by a three pointer from Konnor Sudmann to take the lead. Morningside responded with layups from Jordyn Carr and Chloe Lofstrom to cut the lead to one. The Cliff led 19-16 after the quarter following a pair of free throws from Payton Slaughter.
 
Benne opened up the second quarter knocking down a triple, followed by a three from Slaughter to give the Chargers a seven-point lead. Midway through the second half, Langel's jumper extended Briar Cliff's lead to 12. Jaden Webb sank a pair of free throws late as Morningside trailed 39-36. Sudmann drew a foul at the final seconds and sank both free throw attempts and the Cliff led 41-36 heading into intermission.
 
The Mustangs were able to answer the Charger runs, as they found themselves down by one late in the third quarter after Lofstrom made the most out of her trip to the charity stripe.
 
With the Cliff leading 61-58 to begin the final 10 minutes, the Charger offense exploded in the fourth quarter. Mallie McNair knocked down a triple off an assist from Sudmann to begin the quarter, followed by a layup from Slaughter to give the Cliff a 66-58 lead. An and-one conversion from Langel, followed by a jumper from McNair extended the lead to 14. The Cliff led by as many as 20 in the quarter, following Benne's steal and going cost-to-coast for a layup. The Chargers outscored the Mustangs 23-11 in the final frame to take a 84-69 victory.
 
McNair scored a game-high 21 points to go with five boards. Sudmann added 19 points to go with seven rebounds and four assists. The Charger defense held the Mustangs to 39% from the field, and 31% from beyond the arc.
 
The Chargers improved to 8-0 (4-0 GPAC) on the season. They will return to action this Saturday, as they travel to Yankton, South Dakota to take on Mount Marty. Tip-off is scheduled for 2 p.m.