An off-shooting night hindered No.16 Dordt University in its 62-56 loss to Briar Cliff in a GPAC contest played tonight in Sioux City, Iowa.
The Defenders fall to 1-2 in conference play, 6-3 overall; BCU stays unbeaten in the GPAC (3-0) and improves to 5-2 overall.
Ashtyn Veerbeek scored a game-high 13 points and pulled down six rebounds before fouling out with under four minutes to play. Bailey Beckman netted 11 points, scoring nine from beyond the arc, and Mya Chmielewski contributed 10 points, four assists and two rebounds.
Tied at 49 entering the fourth quarter, Hayden Heimensen put the Defenders up 52-49 following a free throw and lay-up with 8-minutes left to play. Dordt held the host Chargers scoreless for nearly five minutes until BCU converted on back-to-back trips to take a 53-52 advantage at the five-minute mark.
Karli Gustafson put the Defenders in front for the final time on a short jumper (54-53) but a three-pointer from Emma Sterkel put the hosts ahead for good, 56-54, with 3:40 left. A Gustafson free throw brought Dordt within one and the Defenders had a couple of chances to take the lead during the final 2-plus minutes but failed to convert.
Both teams shot well below their season average; Dordt at 32% for the game, 23% (7/30) from the arc while Briar Cliff shot 36%, 32% from the 3-point line.
The Defenders held a slight 37-36 edge on the boards and committed five fewer turnovers (18-13). Effective free throw shooting helped the Chargers offensively, converting on 14/18 attempts (78%).
Madelyn Deitchler led the Chargers with 12 points and seven rebounds.
The Defenders will host College of Saint Mary (Neb.) on Wednesday, Dec. 1, following the Thanksgiving break.
