The 5^th ranked Briar Cliff Charger women's basketball team used a dominant second-half performance to pull away from the Northwestern Red Raiders, securing an 80-61 victory inside the Newman Flanagan Center Wednesday evening.

The Cliff started off strong in the first quarter of action, leading by seven points midway through the frame following a three from Kenna Mongan. The Chargers continued to find stops, and led by nine after the first quarter after Kennedy Benne recorded a steal and sank a buzzer beater runner as time expired.

BCU opened the second with back-to-back baskets from Benne and Rachel Langel to take a 13-point lead. The Red Raiders would claw their way back and cut the Charger lead to just one heading into the break.
Briar Cliff came out strong in the third quarter, going on a 12-0 run midway through to take a 47-35 lead capped off by a layup from Kennedy Benne. Mallie McNair, Taylor Sodeman, and Adrianna Webster each drilled a three in the final minute to push the lead to 18.

McNair led all scorers with 22 points and recorded four assists while shooting 50% from the field. Benne scored 20 points and hauled in five rebounds. Webster chipped in nine points while recording a team-high four steals.
BCU held the Red Raiders to 39 percent shooting from the floor and forced 25 turnovers.

The Chargers improve to 24-3 (18-3 GPAC) and will travel across town this Saturday to take on the Morningside Mustangs in the final game of the regular season. Tip-off is scheduled for 2 p.m.  
 
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