After one of their best first halves of the season, the Hillsdale College women's basketball team looked primed for a big road upset at Tiffin on Wednesday night.
But the shorthanded Chargers ran out of gas in the second half, as the Dragons pulled away in the third quarter to send Hillsdale to an 81-73 defeat.
Tiffin outscored Hillsdale 23-12 in the third quarter to turn a 38-35 Charger lead at the half to an eight point deficit entering the fourth quarter, then pulled away early in the fourth to lead by as many as 21 points before Hillsdale battled back late to close the gap to single digits as time expired.
Playing with just a seven-player rotation for most of the night due to injuries, the Chargers had a strong first half, leading by as many as eight points in the second quarter before the Dragons closed the gap just before halftime.
Junior Grace Touchette scored 13 of her 19 points in the first half to help give Hillsdale the lead, and also chipped in three assists, while senior Jaycie Burger put up a 10 point, 11 rebound double-double and also chipped in four assists, tying her career-high in rebounds along the way.
Sophomore Sydney Mills chipped in 12 points and seven rebounds for the Chargers as well, and freshman Dani Salenbien finished one point off her career high with 12 points and four rebounds.
Sophomore Maverick Delp chipped in eight points off the bench in her best offensive game of the season and one of the best in her career as well.
Hillsdale falls to 2-12 on the season and 2-12 on the G-MAC. The Chargers host Findlay on Saturday looking to break through and turn a competitive game into the big upset the could give Hillsdale the momentum it's been missing all season long.
Photo by Camryn Olson