Pride survive season opener in 53-52 win over Briar Cliff

DUBUQUE, Iowa - Opening their 2022-23 campaign in the Kehl Center, the Clarke University women's basketball team earned a narrow one-point victory over Briar Cliff University on Saturday evening.

The Pride trailed by a point after both the first and second quarter then had a strong 22-11 third quarter to lead by 10 heading into the fourth but went cold offensively to be outscored 16-7 in the fourth to be able to hold on in that one-point win.

The Chargers had a chance to take the lead with possession down one with the shot clock off as Konnor Sudmann drove to the basket but was stripped of the ball by CU's Nicole McDermott as one of her three steals in the game to help Clarke seal the tight victory.

Only having committed a single foul so far in the quarter, Briar Cliff had 3.4 seconds to commit four fouls to even have a chance to get the ball back without a steal as it proved not to be enough time as the Pride inbounded the ball twice to run out the remaining time and close out the game.

Sudmann had a game-high 16 points for Briar Cliff as she went 6-for-9 (66.7%) from the field and hit the only two three-point field goals for BCU in the game as she went a perfect 2-for-2 but that essential game-ending turnover was her seventh of the game.

McDermott led the Pride in scoring with 11 points while grabbing five rebounds and adding those three steals as she dealt with foul trouble most of the first half, picking up two fouls in the first quarter and another in the second but did a good job of not fouling for the entire second half.

Taylor Haase was the only other player for Clarke in double figures as she added 10 points off the bench and led the team with seven rebounds as starter Emma Kelchen dealt with foul trouble of her own, picking up two in each half.

The Pride will hit the road for Chicago, Ill. for their next game as they will face St. Xavier University on Nov. 1 for a 5:00 p.m. CT scheduled start on Tuesday.