In a packed Tyson Events Center, the Charger women’s basketball team’s season came to close, falling in the round of 16 in the NAIA National Tournament after falling to Dordt 65-62 Saturday evening.
Trailing 57-44 with 8:10 remaining in the contest, the Chargers fought back after Payton Slaughter and Mallie McNair knocked down free throws to cut the lead to eight with little over six minutes to play. The Cliff got a big stop on the defensive side of the floor, and Konnor Sudmann drilled a three to close the gap 57-52.
Back-to-back jumpers from McNair and Sudmann followed by two free throws from Kennedy Benne brought the Chargers within one with 3:37 left in regulation. Trailing by five with a little over a minute to play, Payton Slaughter grabbed two offensive boards that eventually led to free throws from Benne to cut the Defender lead 63-60.
Grace Flanagan checked into the ball game late and was fouled with 11 seconds left and sank both shots at the charity stripe to bring the Chargers within one. After being forced to intentionally foul, Dordt’s Macy Sievers sank both free throw attempts to put Dordt back up to three. A last second three from Sudmann fell short as time expired.
McNair led all scorers with 27 points while shooting nine-for-15 in the contest and grabbing six rebounds. She played all 40 minutes of the contest. Slaughter had a near double-double with 10 points and nine rebounds.
Sudmann who finished the contest with eight points, will go down as one of the best to wear a Charger uniform. She amassed 2,254 points in her career, finishing third on the all-time scoring list in the record books.
The Chargers conclude the 2023-24 season with a 24-10 overall mark.
Briar Cliff Women fall short against Dordt in NAIA National Tournament Round of 16
