Six Straight!

Six Straight!

Box Score

Every aspect of the Charger men's basketball team's game was clicking nicely in the team's sixth consecutive win, earned Saturday night in Nashville.

Hillsdale knocked off Trevecca Nazarene 79-56 to improve to 14-5 overall and 10-2 in the Great Midwest Athletic Conference. The Chargers remain tied for first place overall in the conference with the University of Findlay.

"Steady"might be a good word to describe this win. Hillsdale jumped out to an 11-3 lead very quickly, and led by 12 at halftime, 34-22. The team didn't let up in the second half, outscoring the Trojans by 12 in the game's final 20 minutes to win pulling away at the end.

Trevecca didn't play as poorly as the final score might indicate. The team shot 48 percent from the field, but the Chargers won other statistical battles. Hillsdale was plus-10 on the boards (33-23) and permitted the Trojans just three offensive rebounds in the entire game.

It hasn't been uncommon for Hillsdale to be at a big disadvantage at the free throw line against its opponents. That was not the case in this game, as the Chargers marched to the charity stripe 38 times, scoring 27 points. Hillsdale outscored Trevecca 27-8 in free throws, a testament to its aggressiveness throughout the contest.

Senior guard Harrison Niego turned in another splendid night shooting the ball, leading the team with 20 points on 6-for-11 shooting from the field. He hit five 3-point baskets including two that broke the game open in the second half when the Trojans had creeped to within eight points. 

Sophomore forward Davis Larson, so steady all season, finished with 13 points, 7 rebounds and 2 assists while going 7-for-8 from the free throw line. Senior center Nick Czarnowski was efficient going 5-for-7 from the floor to score 11 with 7 rebounds.

Senior guard Nate Neveau logged 26 minutes and had 10 points, 6 rebounds and 4 assists in an excellent all-around performance.

PHOTO: MaryKate Drews