The Briar Cliff women’s basketball team will return to Sioux City and play at the final site for the NAIA Women’s Basketball National Tournament, after defeating Vanguard in a closely contested game 69-68 Saturday afternoon inside the Garvey Center in Wichita, Kansas.
Kennedy Benne scored a team high 20 points and dished out seven assists. The Charger defense forced 20 turnovers in the contest.
After trailing 38-30 going into halftime, the Chargers took control in the third quarter, opening with a 7-0 run capped by a Mallie McNair bucket to cut the lead by one. A buzzer beating bucket from Rachel Langel put the Chargers up 51-49 heading into the final frame.
Both teams traded baskets in the fourth quarter, and with 1:45 remaining in the contest, Benne scored on a layup to put the Cliff up 65-64. Vanguard quickly took a one-point lead with a quick basket on the other end. Benne found Slaughter for a two with 22 seconds left, forcing a Vanguard timeout. Vanguard coming out of the timeout scored off a second chance opportunity, forcing the Cliff to use a timeout for an inbounds play. Konnor Sudmann like she’s done many times in her Charger career, got the ball in crunch time and delivered with a jumper with eight seconds to take the lead.
Vanguard’s last second three fell short and the Cliff make their second straight round of 16 appearance in as many seasons under Head Coach Brian Ortmeier.
McNair and Slaughter both chipped in 11 points while Flangan added nine points in the contest.
The Cliff will take on Indiana Tech in the round of 16, Friday March 22, as they take on Indiana Tech inside the Tyson Events Center at 8 p.m.
Benne Scores 20, Briar Cliff Women Advance to NAIA Round of 16
