A strong start and a strong finish helped Hillsdale remain undefeated in the 2022-23 season on Wednesday with a 68-58 victory over host Davenport.
The Chargers dominated the first half, scoring 39 points and taking a 16-point lead into the break, behind balanced scoring from eight different players and a stifling defensive effort that limited the Panthers to 23 points on 30% shooting from the floor in the half.
An athletic and determined Davenport squad turned up the pressure and clawed their way back into the game in the second half, as Hillsdale couldn't maintain its hot shooting touch from the first 20 minutes. Davenport was able to get as close as 59-56, just one possession down, with two minutes to play.
However, with the game on the line, the Chargers buckled down and picked up the intensity at both ends of the floor to preserve the victory. Reserve center Eric Radisevic entered the game and immediately hit a 3-pointer to stretch Hillsdale's lead back to multiple possessions, then with 40 seconds to go, senior Cole Nau converted an and-one and hit the free throw to all but seal the game, putting the Chargers up seven. Nau added another free throw after a block by Joe Reuter ended a Davenport possession and Kyle Goessler hit two free throws as well to seal the winning margin.
Offensively, the Chargers once again displayed impressive balance, with four different players in double figures. Nau led the way with 13 points, four rebounds, four assists and two steals, as well as 50% shooting from the floor, while Goessler chipped in 12 points and five rebounds, continuing his impressive start to the season.
Senior Peter Kalthoff added 11 points, while Reuter chipped in 10 points, six rebounds and four assists.
The Chargers bench contributed 20 points, outscoring Davenport's bench by 11 and helping to secure the victory. Radisevic and Charles Woodhams each added six points and three rebounds, while Walt Mattingly and Ashton Janowski chipped in four points apiece.
Efficient play was key to Hillsdale's success in the victory offensively as well -- the Chargers committed just five turnovers. A lack of fast-break opportunities for Davenport also played into the hands of the Chargers' defense, which was able to keep the game in the half-court and force the Panthers to break Hillsdale down in 5 on 5 basketball -- a tough task.
Hillsdale improves to 5-0 with the victory, and plays next on Sunday, where the Chargers will face perhaps their toughest opponent yet in undefeated Northern Michigan, a GLIAC title contender led by the conference's preseason player of the year. Tip-off is at 1 p.m. in Dawn Tibbetts Potter Arena.
Photo by David Dermer