Two very different halves unfolded in the return to GLIAC play for the Hillsdale College and Northwood University women's basketball teams Thursday night.
The Chargers played a strong and steady first half in taking an eight-point lead at intermission. However, the Timberwolves responded impressively in the second half and pulled away with a 71-61 win over Hillsdale at the Dawn Tibbetts Potter Arena.
Hillsdale is now 8-6 overall and 2-5 in the GLIAC on the season.
The Chargers held the Timberwolves to 25 percent shooting in the second quarter, and led by as many as 10 points early in the third quarter, 39-29. However, Northwood upped its intensity on defense in the third quarter, and put a 28-6 run on the Chargers to flip the 10-point deficit into a 12-point lead. Northwood outscored Hillsdale by 13 points in the decisive third quarter.
The Timberwolves shot 47 percent in the third quarter compared to 31 for the Chargers, essentially flip-flopping their respective shooting percentages from the first half.
Hillsdale shot 37 percent for the game, while getting outrebounded by 20 (50-30).
Sophomore guard Allie Dewire led the Chargers with 15 points, going 7-for-11 from the field in a very efficient performance. She did an excellent job of getting into the paint and scoring on short, quick jumpers.
Senior Morgan Blair scored 12 points for the second consecutive game, matching her season-high. Sophomore Makenna Ott and junior Allie Dittmer each blocked three shots, with Ott's all coming in the first quarter. Dittmer led the team with nine rebounds, while junior Maddy Reed added six points and six rebounds.
Jordyn Nurenberg led the Timberwolves with 19 points and 13 rebounds.
UP NEXT: Hillsdale hosts Lake Superior State at 1 p.m. Saturday.
PHOTO CREDIT: Todd Lancaster