Shooting can come and go.
But for a Hillsdale College men's basketball team that's built on its defense, an off-night at the other end doesn't have to end in disaster, as the Chargers showed in a 57-41 victory over visiting Ohio Dominican on Saturday.
The Chargers shot just 21.4% from the floor in the first half, including 6.7% from 3-point range, but still held a 22-19 lead over the Panthers at the break by holding ODU below 30% from the field as well.
And as Hillsdale found its offensive rhythm in the second half, the Chargers' physical and aggressive defense ensured that Ohio Dominican had no chance of keeping pace. Holding a 28-25 lead with 17:38 to play, Hillsdale went on a 16-2 scoring run over the next six minutes to stretch their lead to 17 and pull away from the Panthers for good.
On a night when the Chargers went just 3 of 23 from 3-point range, Hillsdale found its offensive answers in the post. Sophomore center Patrick Cartier scored a career-high 29 points on 12 of 16 shooting in the contest, providing nearly all of Hillsdale's offense in the first half and adding 16 more points in the second. It's the third straight game of 20 or more points for Cartier, who is now second in the Great Midwest Athletic Conference in points per game with 18.5.
Fellow post player Austen Yarian provided most of the rest of the offense for the Chargers. The senior finished with 13 points, including all three of Hillsdale's 3-point baskets, as well as six rebounds and two assists.
Sophomore Tavon Brown chipped in six points, nine rebounds and three assists for Hillsdale, and senior Davis Larson added six points, seven rebounds, two assists and two steals. Senior point guard Connor Hill chipped in two points, three assists and three steals as well for the Chargers.
While Cartier was dominant at the offensive end, Hillsdale's defense was the story of the night. The Chargers held Ohio Dominican to 30.6% shooting from the field, and conceded just eight points in the paint and none on fast breaks, while forcing the Panthers into 19 turnovers that led to 18 Hillsdale points.
The Chargers are now holding opponents to just 59.3 points per game, the best margin in the G-MAC and the second-best in all of NCAA Division II.
The win over the Panthers was a big one, as it keeps Hillsdale tied atop the G-MAC at 11-1 with Findlay heading into a critical week for the Chargers' G-MAC title hopes. Hillsdale travels to third-place Cedarville, who's a game behind the two G-MAC leaders, on Tuesday night for a 5 p.m. game, then heads into a rematch with the seventh-ranked Oilers on Saturday at 3 p.m. Findlay handed Hillsdale its only loss of the season on Jan. 2 at Findlay, winning a 68-65 thriller on a last-second buzzer beater.
If Hillsdale can win both games, it would be alone atop the G-MAC standings while simultaneously dealing two serious blows to two of their closest competitors for the crown. On the other hand, two losses could make a late title push difficult.
Photo by Camryn Olson