The 12^th ranked Chargers took the top-ranked Dordt Defenders down to the wire, falling 61-60 Inside the Newman Flanagan Center Wednesday evening. A defensive battle between both squads, The Cliff's defense forced 23 turnovers and recorded nine steals in the contest.
 
After trading baskets early, the Defenders went on a 12-1 run to take a 10-point lead following a layup Janie Van Donge. A layup from Macy Sievers gave Dordt a 12-point lead heading into the second frame.
 
Midway through the second quarter, baskets from Rachel Langel and Mallie McNair followed by a single free throw from Adrianna Webster closed the lead to 28-22. Webster scored off an assist from Kennedy Benne to cut the lead to seven heading into halftime.
 
Coming out of intermission, baskets from Langel, Webster, and Benne gave Briar Cliff a momentum boost and trailed 35-32 early in the half. Dordt responded with a quick 8-0 run to push the lead back to double digits.
 
With 6:43 remaining in the contest, Webster recorded a steal on the defensive side of the floor and the Cliff converted it into two points courtesy of Benne to trail by two. A McNair two-pointer tied the ball game at 52-52 with 5:21 remaining in the contest.
 
Grace Flanagan and Mallie McNair recorded clutch buckets in the final minutes, as the Chargers trailed by one with 1:39 remaining in the contest. After forcing a stop with 18 seconds remaining, the Chargers called a timeout for an in-bounds play for the final shot.
 
The Defenders made the final stop on the last possession to escape with the 61-60 win.
 
Webster led the way with 21 points, four steals, and three blocks while grabbing four rebounds and shooting 10-for-17 from the field. Benne had a near double-double with 12 points and grabbed nine rebounds. McNair chipped in 11 points.
 
The Chargers move to 8-2 (4-2 GPAC), and will return to action this Saturday, as they host the Flames of College of Saint Mary. Tip-off is scheduled for 2 p.m.