Alderson Broaddus University used a 10-2 run over the final 7:26 of Thursday's game to upend the Hillsdale College men's basketball team 64-63 Thursday night in West Virginia.
The loss, Hillsdale's first since Dec. 8, drop the team to 8-5 overall and 4-2 in the Great Midwest Athletic Conference.
It was a frustrating defeat for the Chargers, who grinded through a tough start to take a lead for the first time 18 minutes into the ballgame.
The team relied on its conference-leading defense to hold onto that lead throughout the second half, leading by as many as 7, 61-54, after a jump shot by sophomore Austen Yarian.
However, Hillsdale shot 1-for-11 from the field over the game's final 7:26. The Battler defense was up to the task, fighting the Chargers tough on the boards in that game-ending run.
A telling statistic from the game could be found in comparing the free throws taken by each team. Hillsdale shot 2-for-3 from the free throw line as a team in the entire game, compared to a 14-for-17 free throw ledger compiled by the host Battlers.
Hillsdale was whistled for 15 fouls in the game compared to 9 for Alderson Broaddus. The Battlers did enjoy a 36-29 edge in rebounding and blocked 6 shots compared to 2 for the Chargers.
Sophomore forward Davis Larson led Hillsdale with 17 points, going 8-for-13 from the floor. Junior guard Dylan Lowry scored 11, making a pair of 3-point shots. Yarian came off the bench to pick up 8 points and 8 rebounds in 20 minutes.
PHOTO: MaryKate Drews