For the second time in three games this season, every player on the Charger women's basketball team scored at least two points, as Hillsdale earned a 93-54 win over Oakland City Friday afternoon Rensselaer, Indiana as part of the St. Joseph's College Thanksgiving Classic.
Hillsdale, now 3-0 on the season, takes on Mercyhurst College at 2 p.m. Eastern time Saturday in the second game of the two-day tournament.
The Chargers led from start to finish, shaking loose of Oakland City late in the first quarter thanks to a six-point outburst from junior guard Morgan Blair. Blair's 3-pointer and three-point play, on consecutive possessions, spring Hillsdale out to a 26-12 lead after the first quarter.
The team put together a consistent offensive effort throughout, scoring 26 points in each of the game's first three quarters, doubling Oakland City's score as late as deep into the third quarter. Hillsdale punished Oakland City on the glass, holding a 56-45 edge on the boards, highlighted by 25 offensive rebounds. The Chargers also held Oakland City to just 29 percent shooting from the floor for the game while forcing a season-high 32 turnovers.
No Charger player logged more than 19 minutes in the win. Senior Kelsey Cromer and sophomore Michele Boykin shared the scoring lead with 10 points each, while freshman Brittany Gray set career-highs with 9 points and a team-high 6 rebounds. Blair poured in 8 points in her 8 minutes on the floor, while senior Kayla Geffert and sophomore Allie Dittmer each contributed 8 points as well.
INSIDE THE BOX SCORE: All 10 of Cromer's points came in the first half, while playing just 9 minutes…Cromer was also the only Charger to attempt more than 2 free throws in the game…Redshirt-freshman Ashley Bunker scored a career-high 5 points in 13 minutes…Seven players had 4 or more rebounds.
PHOTO CREDIT: Jim Drews