The Charger women's basketball team showed impressive poise and resiliency through 40 minutes of Saturday night's game at Grand Valley State University.
The Lakers took hold in the five-minute overtime session and came away with the win.
Hillsdale rallied from a double-digit second-half deficit to force extra time but was dealt a 71-63 loss to the host Lakers in Allendale. The Chargers are now 15-10 overall and 11-10 in the GLIAC and wrap up the regular season next Thursday at home against Saginaw Valley State.
Grand Valley State led 33-21 at halftime, and was draining one perimeter shot after another. But in the second half, Hillsdale upped its defense and got the ball in to its All-American, Megan Fogt, who sliced up the interior of the Laker defense throughout the final 20 minutes.
Fogt finished with 17 points and a season-high 17 rebounds, much of that work coming in the second half. She was able to use her power to get good position, and worked herself into a high percentage shooting area on nearly every possession.
Senior guard Brooke Borowski nailed a pair of 3-pointers that gave the Chargers their biggest lead, 48-44, with 9:20 to play. Defense was another big part of the Hillsdale rally in the second half. The Chargers limited the Lakers to 28 percent shooting in the first half, after GV shot 48 percent in the first half.
Both defenses tightened the grips on the offense in the game's final nine minutes, as the teams combined for just 18 points to end regulation.
GVSU opened overtime just like it opened the game, by making one long-distance shot after another. The Lakers outscored the Chargers 14-6 in overtime.
Junior Kayla Geffert tied a season-high with 19 points to lead Hillsdale. Sophomore Morgan Blair had 8 with 5 rebounds and 2 assists, while Borowski scored 8 off the bench.
Photo by Brad Monastiere