When something as simple, yet effective, as "Allie Dewire going to the basket" works, you keep doing it. That was part of how the Charger women's basketball team snapped its four-game losing streak Thursday night.
In its first home game in 19 days, Hillsdale got a career-high 33 points from Dewire in a 90-72 win over Tiffin University at the Dawn Tibbetts Potter Arena. The much-needed win evens Hillsdale's conference record at 7-7, and ups the team to 9-11 overall.
Dewire's speed, quickness and ability to get to the rim have been trademarks throughout her impressive four-year career. Those skills have rarely been on display in as devastating a fashion as Thursday night, when she frustrated the Dragon defense time and time again.
She went 9-for-11 from the field, with nearly every shot coming inside of five feet of the rim. And on the occasions where she was fouled, she made Tiffin pay, wearing a path to the free throw line. She finished 15-for-18 from the line, completing a magnificent performance.
Her 15 made free throws were three shy of the school single-game record of 18, set by Katie Cezat against Wayne State on Feb. 2, 2008.
Dewire and the Charger offense found an immediate rhythm in this game, scoring a season-high 31 first-quarter points. Hillsdale was the aggressor in this game, and led by 16 after just 10 minutes. That lead allowed the Chargers to play loose and confident, as reflected in its 51 percent shooting percentage from the field in the game.
The Chargers held the Dragons to 35 percent shooting for the game (27-for-78) and just 17 percent 3-point shooting (3-for-18).
Dewire added 12 rebounds, 4 assists and 2 steals to her 27-minute performance. Senior forward Makenna Ott scored 16 points and collected 5 rebounds while Lauren Daffenberg and Brittany Gray each scored 11.
Dewire's 33 points were the most scored in a regulation game by a Charger women's basketball player since Chelsea Harrison had 33 back on Feb. 16, 2012.
PHOTO: MaryKate Drews