The Charger women's basketball team advance to the NAIA Women's Basketball National Tournament semifinal round for the first time since the 2014-15 season, defeating the Jaguars of Governors State 65-43 inside the Tyson Events Center in the Newman Flanagan Center. The win marks the third time in program history the Chargers have achieved 30 victories in a single season.
The first quarter was closely contested, with both teams trading baskets which led to the Chargers holding a slim 16-13 lead heading into the second quarter.
Early in the second, the Chargers went on a seven-point run with McNair chipping in five points during the stretch. A layup from McNair along with a three from
Taylor Sodeman at the 4:45 mark gave BCU a 31-17 lead and forcing a Jaguars timeout. BCU led 35-26 heading into the break.
Coming out of intermission, the Chargers went on a 10-2 run with
Adrianna Webster scoring eight of the 10 points. A basket from
Rachel Langel with 4:09 remaining in the third gave Briar Cliff a 19-point lead.
The Charger defense held the Jaguars to just 18 points in the second half. The Jaguars went a combined three-for-27 from the floor in the half. BCU held GSU to 25% shooting from the floor and three-for-23 from three-point land. Briar Cliff dominated the glass in the contest, holding a 57-35 margin.
Webster paved the way with 16 points, eight rebounds, five assists, a block, and a steal. McNair finished with 15 points and grabbed seven rebounds followed by Langel's near double-double with 10 points and nine rebounds.
Kennedy Benne led the team in rebounds with 12 and chipped in five points and dished out five assists.
The Charger women's basketball team improve to 30-5 overall and will take on Indiana Wesleyan Monday night at the Tyson Event Center in the semifinal round. Tip-off is slated for 8 p.m.
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