Matt Fritsche has his first win as Hillsdale College women's basketball coach, and it came on the road, in a tough environment against a good opponent.
The Charger women's basketball team defeated the University of Indianapolis 76-70 in a regional matchup in Indiana Sunday afternoon. Hillsdale is now 1-1 on the season.
Defense helped get it done for Hillsdale in this game. The Chargers outrebounded the Greyhounds 45-35 and held the home team to 37 percent shooting for the game. Hillsdale had 11 steals, led by four from junior Makenna Ott, who played a fine all-around game. Ott scored 14 points and grabbed 8 rebounds, the biggest of which was a defensive boad in the game's last 10 seconds when UIndy was trying to complete a furious comeback. Hillsdale led by double figures early in the fourth quarter, but the Hounds cut bit-by-bit into the deficit, but was never able to take the lead, as Hillsdale did an impressive job of getting stops right when it needed to.
All five starters scored nine or more points, led by 18 from senior center Allie Dittmer, who was a force at both ends of the floor. She went 7-for-13 from the floor and grabbed 14 rebounds, including 5 on the offensive end.
Junior Brittany Gray scored 16 points and hit a couple of big 3-point shots in the second half to help keep the Chargers in control. She added 5 rebounds and 3 assists, while senior Maddy Reed scored 11, making three 3-point baskets. Juniro Allie Dewire was held to just 5 field goal attempts, but she was 7-for-8 from the free throw line, and finished with 9 points and 3 rebounds.
Hillsdale stays on the road next week, playing in-region games at Saginaw Valley State Thursday and Ferris State Sunday.