After cutting a big first-half deficit to two by halftime, the Hillsdale College men's basketball team was unable to keep the momentum alive in a 77-59 loss to the host Grand Valley State University Lakers Saturday night in Allendale.
Hillsdale is now 12-13 overall and 10-11 in the GLIAC. The Chargers host Saginaw Valley State in the regular season finale Thursday night.
The Lakers came out on senior night making one outside shot after another, and built an 11-point lead in the opening half. But Hillsdale counter-attacked well, going on a 13-4 run to end the half, making the score 35-33 at intermission.
However, the Lakers returned to the disciplined offense and shot-making in the second half that gave them their lead in the first half. GVSU put four players in double figure scoring, using a balanced offense to run past the Chargers.
Hillsdale was called for six fouls in the first 4:39 of the second half, putting it behind the 8-ball in terms of defending hard on its end. The Lakers outscored the Chargers 42-26 in the second half, and GVSU made 22 of its 26 free throws in the game's final 20 minutes.
Junior Kyle Cooper played a strong game for Hillsdale, finishing with 22 points on 8-for-13 shooting from the floor. Jason Pretzer, playing very close to his home town of Jenison, added 12 points and 8 rebounds for Hillsdale.