Even as time expired, the Malone University women's basketball team didn't stop trying to rally against the Hillsdale College women's basketball team.
But the Chargers got off to an incredible start in their Sunday afternoon matchup with the Pioneers, and made it hold up in a 72-67 win over Malone in Canton, Ohio. The win makes the Chargers 8-2 overall and 4-2 in the GLIAC.
Hillsdale, who has only played two of its 10 games at home this season, finally comes back to Dawn Tibbetts Potter Arena this week when it hosts Wayne State Thursday and Findlay Saturday.
The Chargers could do no wrong early on in this game, sprinting out to a 27-4 lead. They forced the Pioneers to miss 16 of their first 18 shots, while working the ball around on offense, getting everyone involved.
But in the sport of basketball, runs like that rarely last, and Malone made Hillsdale sweat this one out right to the end. After missing its first 10 straight shots from 3-point land, the Pioneers proceeded to make eight of their next 13, continually slicing into Hillsdale's lead.
With momentum on its side, Malone cut the lead to seven with around three minutes to go. But Charger senior Kadie Lowery (pictured) made what was perhaps the game's biggest shot, nailing a 3-pointer with 3:01 to go to restore Hillsdale's lead back to 10, 62-52. Shortly thereafter, Malone started fouling Hillsdale in an attempt to tighten the game up, but clutch free throw makes by senior Megan Fogt and sophomore Morgan Blair helped keep the Chargers in control.
For the third straight game, Blair set a new season-high in scoring, this time finishing with 13 points, going 11-for-14 from the free throw line. A transfer from Northern Kentucky, Blair is starting to play with more confidence and assertiveness, and the Charger offense finds another gear when she's clicking.
Another player who was clicking was junior Kayla Geffert, who led the team in scoring for the second straight game. Geffert hit two 3-pointers during Hillsdale's game-opening 27-4 run, and finished with 18 points, one shy of her season-high, which was set Friday at Walsh. Fogt finished with 14 points and 8 rebounds for Hillsdale.
This was the first time all season Hillsdale has been outrebounded (38-36), but the Chargers outscored the Pioneers 23-6 from the free throw line to make up a crucial difference in this contest.