The rims were unkind to the Hillsdale College men's basketball team, who lost a 77-68 decision to Malone University Saturday afternoon in Ohio.
The loss drops the Chargers to 17-6 overall and 11-5 in the Great Midwest Athletic Conference. The Pioneers, winners of five in a row, are now 10-6 in conference play.
Both teams experienced cold shooting in the first half, with the teams combining for just 49 points and 29.7 percent shooting from the floor. The second half saw both teams return to form on offense, but it was Malone who was just a bit better and just a bit more accurate.
The Pioneers shot 69 percent from 3-point territory (9-for-13) in a half where it scored 53 points and gradually pulled away from the Chargers. Malone made just seven two-point baskets in the second half, but its 3-point accuracy prevented Hillsdale from closing the deficit.
It was a frustrating day for Hillsdale, who did a lot right. The Chargers outrebounded the Pioneers 45-43 and had more blocked shots (6) than turnovers (5). Hillsdale was plus-12 on points in the paint and plus-6 on points off turnovers. But the Chargers just couldn;t find the range from long distance, shooting 8-for-30 from 3-point land.
Hillsdale shot 33 percent for the game, going 24-for-72.
Junior forward Gordon Behr had a strong game for the Chargers with 14 points, 10 rebounds and 5 blocked shots. Junior Nick Czarnowski had 13 points, 7 rebounds and 4 assists. Davis Larson came off the bench to score 6 for Hillsdale.