NAIA women's basketball: Flanagan trades presents for buckets in Briar Cliffs big win

It may not be every 23-year-olds dream to hit the hardwood on their birthday, but for Briar Cliff guard Grace Flanagan the court has become her usual destination to celebrate.

I dont know if I have ever had a birthday away from basketball, Flanagan said.

Game day is perfect.

Flanagan led Thursday's 90-58 offensive trot over Mounty Marty, tying for a game high 19 points including four 3-pointers.

Briar Cliff's Grace Flanagan attempts a 3-pointer against Mount Marty at the Newman Flanagan Center at Briar Cliff University on Thursday, Jan.

2, 2025.

Logan Shanks After taking a 26-13 lead over the Lancers after the opening quarter, the Chargers didn't look back.

With the help of Flanagan and sophomore Kenna Mongan, who each contributed 19 in the team's blowout win, Briar Cliff used its defensive pressure to fuel the team's offensive onslaught.

We have been more aggressive with our press, Ortmeier said.

That is what really has sparked us to be able to jump on teams as of late.

The Chargers utilized their tight full court press to keep the Lancers on their heels, leading to multiple extra possessions.

Briar Cliff finished the game forcing 26 turnovers off Mount Marty, scoring 10 points off its additional chances with the ball.

At the head of the Chargers stout defensive pressure is three-time Great Plains Athletic Conference Defensive Player of the Year, graduate student Kennedy Benne.

The Nebraska native finished the game with a game high four steals and contributed seven points.

You can put [Benne] at the top of that press to cause a lot of chaos, Ortmeier said.

It is just our ability to make plays and really pressure and be able to just aggressively stay after teams.

Briar Cliff graduate student Kennedy Brenne presses on defense against Mount Marty at the Newman Flanagan Center at Briar Cliff University on Thursday, Jan.

2, 2025.

Logan Shanks Flanagan and Mongan were two of four Chargers to finish the game with double-digit points, accompanied by senior Adrianna Webster and senior Rachel Langel.

Briar Cliff's consistent ball movement around the perimeter led to the team finishing Thursday's matchup with 15 assists.

No matter who's hands the ball was in, they continued to look for open shots to build on the Chargers early lead.

Everybody has the one more mindset, Flanagan said.

If everybody else is willing to pass an open shot to somebody else, it just gets everybody going.

Along with cheers from the bench with every bucket Flanagan sunk, she felt the love from everyone at the Newman Flanagan Center.

The Coggon, Iowa, native started her career at Des Moines Area Community College before transferring to Quincy joined Briar Cliff last season and has been a reliable shooter since joining the Chargers.

Ortmeier, who coached against Flanagan when he was at Iowa Central and she was at DMACC, praised his veteran guard for her performance Thursday night and the leadership she has shown since joining the program.

[Flanagan] is just a phenomenal player, Ortmeier said.

She is someone we can really lean on to carry us through, whether we are getting man-to-man or zoned, to be able to knock down outside shots.

It was really cool to see her do that on her birthday.

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