It was another excellent effort by the Hillsdale College women's basketball team on Saturday.
The Chargers took 9-7 Findlay to the wire at home in one of their best games of the season, but couldn't get a late go-ahead shot to fall in a 72-68 loss.
Hillsdale led for nearly 20 minutes and were within 10 points or less of the lead for nearly the entire contest, thanks to one of the team's best defensive efforts of the year.
The Chargers held the Oilers eight points below their season average, and determined post defense by Arianna Sysum, Sydney Mills and Maverick Delp helped Hillsdale hold Findlay senior Sydney Kin, a legitimate contender for G-MAC player of the year, to just 12 points, 11 below her scoring average for the season.
Playing with just nine players dressed, Hillsdale led after the first quarter, 17-16, and at halftime, 30-29, behind strong play in the post from Sysum and Mills, who combined for 14 first-half points.
Findlay went on a big run in the third quarter to seize control, leading by as many as 12, but junior Lauren Daffenberg caught fire off the bench for the Chargers, hitting five 3-pointers in just over five minutes to push Hillsdale's lead to as many as seven points with 7:31 to play.
The game tightened up down the stretch, and was a one possession game for most of the final three minutes. Hillsdale had two chances at a game-winning shot with under 13 seconds to play, but a turnover and a 3-pointer that just rimmed out allowed Findlay to escape with the victory.
Daffenberg finished with seven made 3-pointers and 25 points, both tying career highs, as well as four rebounds to lead the Chargers in the contest.
Mills chipped in 19 points and eight rebounds as well in another strong outing for the sophomore, and Sysum paired excellent defensive work with eight points, nine rebounds and four blocks.
Senior Jaycie Burger had a strong all-around game with six points, nine assists and six rebounds for the Chargers, and juniro Grace Touchette chipped in four points and five assists as well.
Hillsdale (2-13, 2-13 G-MAC) hits the road to Canton, Ohio, next week to take on Malone in a Thursday night contest for its next game.
Photo by Camryn Olson
