A first-half lead didn't hold for the Hillsdale College women's basketball team, who suffered a 70-63 road loss to the University of Findlay Thursday night.
The loss drops the Chargers to 12-10 overall and 6-9 in the GLIAC.
This game got off to a fast start, with a high pace of play. The Chargers scored 13 fast-break points in the first half, and led by as many as 10 at one point, 34-24. The half ended with Hillsdale holding a 38-35 lead.
However, the Oilers outscored the Chargers in each of the final three quarters of the game, holding Hillsdale to fewer points in the third and fourth quarters than it scored in the second. The Findlay defense suffocated the Hillsdale offense to the tune of just eight points in the fourth quarter.
The Chargers shot 3-for-14 from the field in the game's final 10 minutes, and were outrebounded by the Oilers 44-29 in the game. Hillsdale did move the ball effectively on offense, picking up 18 assists on 26 made field goals, and the Chargers forced four more turnovers than they committed (15-11). But the team's cold fourth-quarter shooting, plus Findlay's edge on the boards, were too much to overcome.
Sophomore Brittany Gray hit four 3-point baskets and tied her career-high with 14 points. That point total matched the amount she had in a game at Lake Erie College one week ago.
Sophomore Makenna Ott made three 3-point baskets and finished with 13, while junior Maddy Reed had 9 points and five rebounds. Senior Morgan Blair handed out a team-high four assists.
UP NEXT: Hillsdale hosts undefeated and No. 1 Ashland University at 1 p.m. Saturday.