The fourth quarter was one of the best of the season for the Hillsdale College women's basketball team. Unfortunately, it wasn't enough to pull out a win Thursday night.
Nearly half of the team's 67 points came in the final 10 minutes, when it outscored the visiting Northwood University Timberwolves 31-19. But it wasn't enough to overcome a huge third-quarter deficit, as Northwood defeated Hillsdale 75-67 at Dawn Tibbetts Potter Arena.
The Chargers fall to 7-6 overall and 4-5 in the GLIAC with the loss, while Northwood is now 5-4 in conference play.
This game did not feature much smoothness, especially in the first half, when both teams shot less than 31 percent, and turnovers plagued both sides. Yet, the Timberwolves held just a four-point edge at halftime, 28-24.
Northwood equaled that point total in the third quarter alone, extending its lead to as large as 23 in the opening moments of the fourth quarter.
But from there, Hillsdale mounted a comeback that was sparked by the defense. That defense was highlighted by a half-court trap that forced the Timberwolves into a number of turnovers and forced shots as the Chargers slowly cut into the huge deficit.
After a 3-pointer by Lauren Robak 17 seconds into the fourth, the Timberwolves had a 59-36 lead, and any Charger comeback appeared unlikely. But freshman Brittany Gray swished a 3-pointer on the next possession of the game, and suddenly, Hillsdale found an offensive rhythm that proved to be elusive through the game's first 30 minutes.
Senior Sarah Theut scored 5 points on back-to-back possessions, then Gray followed with another deep three, and the Charger deficit was at 10 in less than four minutes. With the pressure defense ramping up in intensity, Hillsdale eventually tied the game at 64 on a jumper by senior Kayla Geffert, with 2:26 left in the fourth quarter.
However, the Timberwolves outscored the Chargers 11-3 to close out the game. Robak scored five of those points from the free throw line, helping to thwart any late comeback.
Sophomore center Allie Dittmer played a strong game inside for Hillsdale, with 8 points, 10 rebounds and a career-high 5 blocked shots. Geffert led Hillsdale with 11, while Gray scored 10. Junior Morgan Blair dished out 5 assists and senior Madison Berry scored 9 off the bench, including a big 3-pointer during the Chargers' fourth-quarter rally.
UP NEXT: Hillsdale hosts Lake Superior State at 1 p.m. Saturday
PHOTO CREDIT: Sarah Klopfer