In a tightly contested match up, the 5
th ranked Briar Cliff Chargers secured a hard-fought 79-71 overtime victory against the 16
th ranked Dakota Wesleyan Tigers inside the Newman Flanagan Center Wednesday evening.
Adrianna Webster got it done on both ends of the floor, finishing the contest with 23 points and recorded four steals and three blocks.
Kennedy Benne scored 19 points including a perfect 11-for-11 from the free throw line.
The Charger defense forced 30 turnovers in the contest and recorded 11 steals as a unit.
Trailing by seven with 4:28 remaining, Benne scored seven straight to tie the game 57-57 following and and-one opportunity. The Tigers clung to a three-point lead with 17 seconds remaining until
Mallie McNair buried a triple to tie the contest 67-67 to force overtime.
Briar Cliff opened the overtime period with an 10-2 run with Benne recording six points, all coming from free throws.
The Cliff held the Tigers to just four points in the overtime frame to earn their 20
th victory of the season.
McNair finished with 17 points and knocked down three triples.
Kenna Mongan added seven points while
Rachel Langel recorded six points and grabbed six rebounds.
The Chargers improved to 20-3 (14-3 GPAC) and will return to action next Saturday, as they prepare to host the Doane Tigers. Tip-off is scheduled for 2 p.m. The Chargers will honor their seniors before the contest.
#BattleOn