The Briar Cliff women's basketball team put together a strong second-half push but came up short Wednesday night, dropping an 85-73 contest to the Morningside Mustangs inside the Newman Flanagan Center.
 
After trailing 49-27 at the half, the Chargers responded with a 23-point third quarter and matched that total again in the fourth, cutting what was once a 24-point deficit down to single digits. Despite the late surge, the Chargers couldn't quite close the gap. 
 
Abby Lee led BCU's offense with 29 points on 10-of-23 shooting while also adding eight rebounds, a block, and a steal. 15 of Lee's points came in the second half, and she went 8-for-11 from the free throw line.
 
Mallie McNair posted 14 points, knocking down a pair of threes while contributing four rebounds, four assists, and two steals. Brooklyn Heineman delivered an efficient performance as well, finishing with 15 points on 4-for-7 shooting, including two made triples.
 
Kinzee Hinders provided a spark off the Charger bench with five points in 13 minutes, while Mallory Leerar contributed three steals.
 
The Cliff shot 76% at the foul line and forced 23 turnovers, turning those into 22 points. Morningside, however, countered with sharp shooting, connecting on 57% from beyond the arc, and controlled the glass with a 41-28 rebounding advantage. 
 
The Chargers return to action this Saturday, December 13, hosting the Hastings Broncos in the Newman Flanagan Center. Tip-off is set for 2 p.m.