One of the most exciting and entertaining games in recent Charger women's basketball history ended in frustrating fashion for host Hillsdale College Thursday night.
The team got brilliant performances from sophomore Kayla Geffert and junior Megan Fogt, but came up just short against Wayne State University, a team who is 10-1 on the season. The Warriors edged the Chargers 88-85 in a well-played game at the Hillsdale College Arena.
Hillsdale fell to 3-8 overall and 2-5 in GLIAC play with the loss. The team plays its second of three consecutive home games at 1 p.m. Saturday against Saginaw Valley State University.
This game had a little of everything, as a total of 71 free throws were shot and 52 fouls were called between the two teams. Both teams saw explosive post players foul out, and despite their courageous effort, the Chargers just couldn't quite get over the top of a Warriors team that is now 7-0 in conference.
Geffert put together the game of her career Thursday night, exploding for 27 points on 9-for-16 shooting from the floor. She scored at a rate of more than one point per minute played, and nailed four 3-point baskets. She scored Hillsdale's first 6 points, which ended a game-starting 11-0 run by the Warriors, and her bold and accurate shooting seemed to energize the home team.
Fogt, turned in another All-American performance against Wayne State's big and physical front line, with 26 points, 13 rebounds and 3 blocked shots. Fogt shot 10-for-14 from the floor, and gave Hillsdale more consistent scoring in the paint as it attempted time and again to rally against Wayne State.
The Warriors led by as many as 14 points in the second half, but Hillsdale's active defense was part of what helped it rally. The Chargers outscored the Warriors 10-0 in points off turnovers in the second half. After allowing 53 points in the first half, Hillsdale's improved defense was evident by cutting that number down by 18 in the second half.
A Geffert 3-point play cut Wayne State's lead to 1 with 1:12 to go, and Fogt later hit two free throws that again set the game at a one-point margin. But Wayne State's Lauren Bright, who only played 3 minutes in the game, hit a jump shot off a sidelines out of bounds play to restore a 3-point lead for the Warriors with 18 seconds to go.
Sophomore Sarah Theut gave the Chargers some excellent minutes off the bench with 7 points, to go along with terrific help defense. Senior Angela Bisaro also played well, scoring 15 points with 2 rebounds and 3 assists. Bisaro's shooting and court vision were keys to Hillsdale's rally in the second half.