The #9 ranked Charger women's basketball prevailed in their top-ten matchup, downing the #7 ranked Concordia Bulldogs 74-66 inside the Newman Flanagan Center. Konnor Sudmann led the charge with 23 points and 15 rebounds in the contest.
 
In the first, the Chargers went on a 11-4 run following a steal from Kennedy Benne and a fast break layup from Payton Slaughter to force a Bulldog timeout. Coming out of the timeout, Grace Flanagan buried a three to extend the lead to nine. The Chargers led 21-9 at the end of the first as Rachel Langel's jumper was good off an assist from Slaughter.
 
With 7:41 remaining in the second quarter, the Cliff looked poised to break the game wide open after a pair of made free throws from Mallie McNair to lead by 17. Concordia stormed back, and found themselves down by only two following a basked from Taysha Rushton. Briar Cliff headed into half time with only a 36-30 lead.
 
Late in the third quarter, the Bulldogs took a 51-47 lead following a basket from Mackenzie Toomey.
 
With 6:10 remaining in regulation, the Chargers regained momentum of the contest after Benne drew an and-one and cut the Bulldogs lead to one. The Chargers got a stop on the other end of the floor, and Slaughter found Langel for the basket to take a 60-59 lead. Late in the fourth, Benne scored on a layup and knocked down a pair of free throws to take a four-point lead. Sudmann iced the game at the line to give Briar Cliff their 10^th win of the season.
 
Benne scored 16 points and grabbed seven boards, going eight-for-nine from the charity stripe. Langel chipped in 16 points on 50% shooting from the field.
 
The Chargers improved to 10-1 (6-1 GPAC) and will return for their final home game of the next Thursday at 6 p.m. inside the Newman Flanagan Center.