The Charger women's basketball team dropped a hard-fought contest to the Concordia Bulldogs in the GPAC semifinal round in Seward, Nebraska 87-74.
The Cliff in the opening minutes went on a 10-3 run, as
Kennedy Benne recorded the first seven points in. The Bulldogs tied the contest with 4:16 remaining in the quarter following a layup from Abby Heemstra and a triple from Kendal Brigham. Trailing 19-12,
Grace Flanagan knocked down a big three to cut the lead to two possessions.
Konnor Sudmann buried a three with 1:07 on the clock off an assist from McNair to pull the Cliff within one. The Bulldog's Sadie Powell would respond with her own three to push the lead back to four.
Powell knocked down a three late in the second quarter to give Concordia a 38-26. A pair of free throws from Benne and a layup brought BCU within eight with 30 seconds remaining in the half. Taysha Rushton hit a free throw before the buzzer push the lead to nine.
The Bulldogs in the second half led by as many as 17 in the third quarter and held a double-digit lead heading into the final frame. With 6:56 remaining in the contest, BCU came within striking distance, as a jumper from
Rachel Langel and a layup from Sudmann brought them within three. CUNE would go on a 9-0 run to end the Chargers GPAC tournament run.
Sudmann led the way for Briar Cliff with a near double-double with 26 points and nine rebounds. Benne added 20 points and recorded three steals.
Mallie McNair chipped in 10 points and grabbed five boards in the contest.
The Chargers move to 21-9 on the season and will await for the NAIA Selection and will seek an at-large bid to the National Tournament.
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