Attention anyone who appreciates good basketball in the Hillsdale area: Kyle Cooper has one home game remaining in his career. It's next Saturday at Dawn Tibbetts Potter Arena. Come to the gym. Watch a truly superior player go to work. You won't regret it.
Cooper was at the peak of his powers during a masterful 40-point performance in Hillsdale's 85-70 win Saturday afternoon at home over Northern Michigan University. It was his second game of more than 40 points this season and third of his career. By comparison, only two 40-point games were recorded by all Charger men's basketball players between 1998 and 2014.
Offensive games just don't get more efficient than the one Cooper put together against the Wildcats. He went 13-for-16 from the floor, nailed four of his five 3-point attempts, and was 10-for-11 from the free throw line. He scored on one-handed hook shots, pull-up 3-pointers, and even threw in a couple of dunks for good measure. His teammates set solid screens, and were patient on offense, waiting for the optimal time for Cooper to shake free in a prime scoring area, which for him, is pretty much anywhere within 21 feet of the basket.
All of Cooper's free throw makes came in the first half, when he got much of NMU's roster in foul trouble. He was often fouled before, or just after, catching a pass in the low post. His accuracy helped Hillsdale to a season-best .627 field goal percentage, and the team turned an early eight-point deficit into a lead that grew as large as 21 in the second half.
Point guard Zach Miller once again directed the offense effectively, dishing out 10 assists, many of them setting Cooper up in ideal shooting position.
Sophomore Ryan Badowski played a big role in getting the Chargers off to a good start, and he recorded his first double-double of the season, with 14 points and a team-leading 10 rebounds.
Stedman Lowry scored 9, and Nate Neveau added 8 off the bench.
Hillsdale is now 14-9 overall and 10-9 in the GLIAC.
INSIDE THE BOX SCORE: Cooper soared past the 1,400-point barrier for his career in the game…Miller now has 394 career assists and needs 6 more to become the sixth member of the 400-assist club in program history…Cooper scored 17 points in the first half – 10 from the foul line – and 23 in the second half…He previously scored 40 in a game against Walsh on Jan. 3, 2016 and Cedarville Nov. 17, 2014…After losing six of seven, the Chargers have now won two straight…The 14 wins exceed last year's win total of 13.
UP NEXT: Hillsdale faces a big road test Thursday night against Ferris State in Big Rapids.
PHOTO CREDIT: Sarah Klopfer