Playing a good team twice in a row is always a severe challenge for the team that wins the first of those matchups.
It turned out to be another passed test for this Charger men's basketball team.
Withstanding some late runs by Malone University, Hillsdale pleased its biggest home crowd of the season with a 75-68 win over the Pioneers to improve to 9-2 in the G-MAC and 13-7 overall.
After leading by as many as nine midway through the second half, the Chargers could not put the Pioneers away, as Malone made a bevy of tough shots, and converted six free throws while getting fouled on two 3-point shots. The lead shrunk to as little as three, 71-68, with 34 seconds to go in regulation. That's when the Chargers' top players stepped to the fore.
Senior Dylan Lowry calmly sank two free throws that made it a two-possession lead, 73-68. A stop led to a fast break dunk by freshman sensation Patrick Cartier, who threw down a power dunk that put the perfect exclamation point on this win for Hillsdale.
The dunk was one of many short-range shots Cartier made during another outstanding performance. He scored 27 points on 12-for-16 shooting from the field, one point shy of his career-high. He continually got good position under the basket and finished his layup attempts going to his right and left, leaving the Malone defense frustrated throughout. This was the fourth 20-point game in a freshman season the likes of which Hillsdale hasn't seen in decades.
Froward Tavon Brown was an incredibly important part of this victory as well. He came off the bench to get 9 points and 10 rebounds, and was a big force in converting "and-one" plays throughout his time on the court. He was able to rebound over the Malone defense, and played a smart offensive and defensive game.
Lowry had 10 points, 3 rebounds and 3 assists while Davis Larson had 10 points and 4 rebounds, including a big layup at a time when the Chargers really needed it late in the second half.
PHOTO: MaryKate Drews