December 1, 2012 – The Hillsdale College women's basketball team got to enjoy a one-sided victory Saturday afternoon in picking up its first conference win of the season.
The Chargers limited Lake Superior State University to just 17 first-half points and came away with a 77-53 win to improve to 4-1 overall and 1-1 in the GLIAC. Hillsdale next takes the court next week, traveling to Michigan's Upper Peninsula to face Northern Michigan Thursday and Michigan Tech Saturday afternoon.
In the first few minutes of this game, it appeared it could be a struggle for Hillsdale when its leading scorer, sophomore Megan Fogt, had to sit down with foul trouble. But other players picked up the slack and helped the team to a huge first-half advantage.
Freshman Sarah Theut, (pictured) the team's second-leading rebounder through four games of the season, put together a fine all-around effort with 11 points and seven rebounds in just 18 minutes, most coming in the first half. Theut was strong and active in the painted area, and had very good shot selection, going 4-for-6 from the field including a 3-point basket. Her strength inside and good side-to-side defense also helped close off the Lakers' interior offense during her time on the court.
Senior guard Lea Jones also turned in one of her best performances of the season with eight points, eight rebounds and four assists with just one turnover in 20 minutes on the floor. She was able to direct Hillsdale's offense with good efficiency throughout the first half.
In all, 13 different players reached the point column for Hillsdale. Junior guard Marissa DeMott shared scoring lead honors with Theut with 11, and she made three 3-pointers in the win. Freshman Kelsey Cromer scored a career-high nine points off the bench, including a giggling-inducing basket from her knees in the first half.
Fogt was limited to nine minutes on the floor, but had five points and five rebounds.
The game featured a total of 56 free throw attempts between the two teams, and 41 fouls were called.