The #9 Charger women's basketball team dropped their first contest of the season to the #2 Dordt Defenders 81-63 inside the Newman Flanagan Center Wednesday evening. The Cliff struggled from the field, shooting 38%.
 
The Defenders got off to a quick 10-2 run in the first. Briar Cliff battled back, as they trailed 14-13 toward the end of the first following a pair of free throws from Payton Slaughter. Dordt's Olivia Harazin responded with a three to extend the lead back to four. A basket in the paint from Mallie McNair cut the lead to 17-15 heading into quarter two.
 
The Defenders in quarter two outscored the Chargers 18-8 to build a commanding lead heading into the half. The Defenders led by as many as 26 in the third following a basked from Gracie Schoonhoven. The Chargers were unable to cut into the lead in the fourth and dropped their first contest of the season.
 
Kennedy Benne scored 20 points and went seven-for-16 from the field. McNair chipped in 11 points and Slaughter had a near double-double with 11 points and nine rebounds.
 
The Chargers fall to 9-1 (5-1 GPAC) and will look to rebound this Saturday, as they host the Bulldogs of Concordia inside the Newman Flanagan Center. Tip-off is scheduled for 2 p.m.