The Hillsdale College women's basketball team rallied from a 15-1 deficit to start the game, but fell just short in a 78-76 home loss to Lake Erie on Thursday night in Dawn Tibbetts Potter Arena.
The Chargers cut that double-digit deficit to seven at the half and trailed by just one possession multiple times in the final four minutes of the game, but couldn't find the basket they needed to tie or string enough stops together to create a chance late.
Shooting was a major factor in the outcome of the game. Hillsdale struggled, shooting just 39.1 percent from the floor, and with particular issues in the first half. The Chargers stayed close by getting to the foul line, earning 17 points at the charity stripe, but shot an uncharacteristically low 63 percent on free throws on the night -- critical in such a close contest.
Junior Grace Touchette led the Chargers with 20 points and three assists, just two points off of her season high. Hillsdale also got big games from sophomore Sydney Mills, who finished with 19 points and 11 rebounds in her fourth double-double of the season, and senior Jaycie Burger, who chipped in 17 points on 3 of 6 shooting from 3-point range, and also added six rebounds and two blocks.
Freshman Dani Salenbien had a solid game all around for Hillsdale, with eight points, five rebounds and three assists.
Hillsdale falls to 2-10 on the year and 2-10 on G-MAC play. The Chargers have another tough contest on Saturday at 1 p.m. in Dawn Tibbetts Potter Arena, hosting an 8-3 Ohio Dominican team that's looking to stay in the hunt for the conference title.
Photo by Camryn Olson
