The Briar Cliff and Dakota Wesleyan men’s basketball teams battled to the final seconds of both regulation and overtime in Thursday’s matchup. The Chargers fell 76-78 in overtime at the Corn Palace in Mitchell, South Dakota.
With two seconds left in regualation, Dakota Wesleyan connected on a layup to send the contest into overtime. In the OT period, it was the Chargers who had an opportunity to tie the game with two seconds left on the clock. However, BC was unable to convert a last-second attempt over the DWU defense.
The Chargers entered the contest averaging 13.2 3-pointers per game in their last five contests, but only connected on five in the Corn Palace. Briar Cliff turned to the inside game, scoring 52 of 76 points in the paint.
The Chargers led 13-12 after a defensive-heavy opening 10 minutes of play. BC grabbed their largest lead of the first half, 28-20 at the two-minute mark. A pair of Dakota Wesleyan free throws in the closing minute brought the Charger lead to 30-24 at halftime.
Jaden Kleinhesselink and Quinn Vesey paced the floor in the first half with eight points apiece.
The Chargers shot 40.6% from the floor while holding DWU to 29.2%. However, the Tigers made up points at the free throw line going 7-for-8. The two teams combined to shoot 5-for-23 from deep.
Both sides found their offensive groove after the intermission as they posted over 50.0% shooting from the field. The score was tied or in the Chargers hand for over 18 minutes of the second half, but the Tiger stayed within striking range throughout. Kyle Boerhave scored nine of his 15 second half points in the final 10 minutes. However, his efforts were matched by the Tigers, who tied the game with two seconds left to force overtime.
The Tigers gained the lead early in the OT period and iced the game at the free throw line going 6-of-9.
Boerhave just missed a double-double with 20 points and eight rebounds to go with five assists. He was 8-for-12 from the field. Groves added 18 points on 50% shooting and had four boards. Vesey and Kleinhesselink rounded out the double-digit scoring with 16 and 10 points, respectively.
The Chargers move to 8-7 (2-6 GPAC) on the season and will return to the Newman Flanagan Center Saturday to host Doane at 3:45 p.m.
The Briar Cliff women’s basketball team dominated in their top-25 matchup against Dakota Wesleyan on Wednesday night at the Corn Palace in Mitchell, South Dakota. The Chargers hoping to move up in the national rankings as well as the GPAC standings, prevailed with a 65-48 victory.
The Chargers partook in a defensive battle with the Tigers in the first quarter and trailed 6-11 after 10 minutes, the Chargers’ lowest scoring quarter of the season. The Cliff shot 18.8% from the field with five turnovers whereas Dakota Wesleyan shot 38.5% with four turnovers.
Briar Cliff stuck close but trailed again by three points at the conclusion of the second quarter. The Chargers caught fire in the second quarter shooting 50% while the Tigers shot an outstanding 80% from the field. Though the Cliff heated up, the score remained 26-29 heading into the locker room.
The Cliff made the needed halftime adjustments and outscored Dakota Wesleyan 20-8 to lead by nine at the end of the third quarter. Briar Cliff opened the third quarter on an 11-2 scoring run that didn’t waver throughout the rest of the quarter. The Chargers forced five turnovers in the third quarter, scoring 10 points off those turnovers.
The fourth quarter was similar to the third where the Cliff was able to keep their momentum and outscore the Tigers 19-11. The Chargers and Tigers traded buckets late in the quarter, but it proved to not be enough for Dakota Wesleyan as Briar Cliff won the top-25 matchup by 17.
In the second half, the game was controlled by the Chargers. Outscoring Dakota Wesleyan 39-19, the Chargers showed their swarming defensive presence by forcing 11 turnovers. Briar Cliff found their rhythm from the field following the first quarter, shooting 45.8% at the conclusion of the contest.
Konnor Sudmann had another game-high 21 points, recording four rebounds, four blocks and five assists. Madelyn Deitchler nearly recorded a double-double performance as she posted 17 points along with nine rebounds and one assist. Sudmann and Deitchler were the only Chargers to score in double digits. Payton Slaughter added seven points and seven rebounds.
The Chargers held an advantage in points off turnovers 30-8 and points in the paint 38-24.
The Briar Cliff women will have a quick turnaround as they face Doane on Saturday, January 7, at the Newman Flanagan Center in Sioux City, Iowa.
