Chargers race past Bellevue at Cattle Classic

SEWARD, Neb. -- Ashtyn Arnold scored an early season-high 13 points but the Briar Cliff University offense proved too much for the Bellevue University women's basketball team as the Bruins fell 81-49 in the final game of the Cattle Classic.

Bellevue falls to 1-3 with the loss while Briar Cliff remains unbeaten in the early going, upping the record to 3-0.

Briar Cliff started strong, opening a 16-5 lead at the 2:14 mark of the first quarter. The Bruins looked to right the ship briefly. Aminah Hall hit a triple and Asha Scott converted a traditional three-point play around a trey by Konnor Sudmann but a coast-to-coast layup by Madelyn Deitchler saw the Chargers take a 21-11 lead after the first quarter.

BCU kept that momentum into the second quarter, out-scoring Bellevue 18-5 over the first 8:16 of the period. BU closed the quarter strong, out-scoring the Chargers 7-3 thanks to bookend driving layups by Ashtyn Arnold to end the period but the Bruins trailed 42-22 at the half.

The Bruins were unable to close the gap in the second half as Briar Cliff extended the lead throughout the third and fourth quarters.

Bellevue shot just 33% from the field to Briar Cliff's 51% and struggled mightily from the line (4-18) and three (3-20).

Sudmann recorded game-highs with 26 points and nine assists while Deitchler chipped in 15 for the Chargers.

Arnold finished with 13 to lead the Bruins. Faith Ross added seven to go along with eight boards and Scott finished with eight points and five rebounds.

The Bruins return to the hardwood on Tuesday, Nov. 8 when the travel to Sioux Center, Iowa for a 7 p.m. tip at #15 Dordt University.