In a game the Hillsdale College women's basketball team led nearly the entire way, a last-second shot by host Findlay changed everything on Saturday.
Paige Bellman converted a layup at the buzzer as the Oilers went the length of the court in under five seconds to snatch the victory away from the Chargers in a 69-68 road loss that ended Hillsdale's season.
It was a tough end for Hillsdale in a game the Chargers led by as many as 22 points in the second quarter, after a hot-shooting start that saw Hillsdale take a 26-12 lead in the first 10 minutes.
Sophomore Lauren Daffenberg hit four 3-pointers in the first period and Grace Touchette added two more to help Hillsdale get that early advantage, and Hillsdale continued that hot shooting throughout, knocking down 18 3-pointers for the game to maintain their lead over the Oilers even as Findlay began to claw their way back in.
Findlay outscored Hillsdale 21-10 in the third quarter and cut the lead to 53-52 with 9:36 to play in the game, but Daffenberg knocked down a 3-pointer on the next possession to stretch the lead to four, and with 5:55 to play, Hillsdale had the lead back at double-digits.
The Oilers, however, locked down defensively and made one final push, outscoring the Chargers 11-1 in the next five minutes to cut Hillsdale's lead to one with just under a minute remaining.
The Charger defense stepped up, getting back-to-back stops in the final minute to preserve a 68-67 edge, and with 4 seconds to play had a shot to add to their lead at the free throw line, but couldn't convert on either foul attempt.
Findlay made Hillsdale pay for those misses, as Bridget Landin found Bellman with a full-court outlet pass for the game-winning basket as time expired.
Daffenberg had a big night offensively to give Hillsdale a chance at victory, knocking down seven 3-pointers and finishing with a team-best 23 points, while Touchette was 6 of 12 from 3-point range and close behind in scoring, finishing with 21 points, eight rebounds and six assists as well.
In her final game in a Charger uniform, senior Sydney Anderson also had a big night, going 5 of 9 from 3-point range and adding five assists, five rebounds and three steals.
Jaycie Burger chipped in seven assists and senior Julia Wacker added 10 rebounds for Hillsdale, which finishes the season 6-21 overall, and 3-15 in GMAC play.