The Charger women’s basketball team erupted in the second half of their round of 16 matchup Friday evening, downing the Indiana Tech 78-52 inside the Tyson Events Center. The Cliff will make their round of eight appearance for the first time since the 2014-15 season.
BCU and Indiana Tech traded baskets in the first quarter, with both teams recording crucial stops to prevent any momentum swings. Mallie McNair’s jumper with 2:09.
Early in the second quarter, Kennedy Benne took control, scoring six straight for the Chargers to give them a 21-16 lead with seven minutes remaining in the half. A jumper from McNair followed by a pair of free throws from Konnor Sudmann extended the Cliff’s lead to seven with little under three minutes remaining in the second. Back-to-back jumper from Sudmann to end the quarter gave BCU a 10-point lead heading into halftime.
Coming out of the break, the Chargers went on a 11-4 run midway through the quarter, capped by a free throws from McNair to push the lead to 20. Cadence Davis late in the quarter made a contested layup as the game clock winded down to give the Chargers a 25-point lead heading into the final frame.
Benne opened the quarter scoring five points, burying a three and adding two points from the charity stripe. Loryn Kelley knocked down a triple to cap off the scoring for the Chargers.
The Chargers shot 46% from the field and 31% from downtown in the contest. The Chargers converted on 17-of-19 on their free throw attempts. The Cliff defense held Indiana Tech to 34% from the field and 17% from three. The Chargers out-rebounded Indiana Tech 43-29 in the contest.
Benne scored a game-high 25 points and grabbed six rebounds in the contest. McNair added 18 points and shot seven-for-12 from the field. Sudmann had a near double-double with 14 points and eight rebounds while shooting 50% from the field.
The Cliff advance to the round of eight and will take on GPAC foe Dordt on Saturday at 8 p.m. inside the Tyson Events Center.
