The Hillsdale College women's basketball team couldn't weather a storm of cold shooting and turnovers in a tough road loss at the University of Indianapolis, 68-53, on Wednesday night.
The Chargers shot just 27% from the floor and turned the ball over 21 times as the host Greyhounds outscored Hillsdale 39-22 in the second half to overturn a Chargers halftime lead.
Despite the rough numbers, Hillsdale actually started the game with energy and momentum, outplaying UIndy on both ends of the floor for the first six minutes to take a 17-2 lead. It felt like the Chargers were one more big run away from putting the game away early.
But Hillsdale couldn't sustain the momentum of that fast start. After a 3-pointer by senior Grace Touchette gave the Chargers a 15-point lead with 3:51 left in the first, Hillsdale didn't make another field goal until the 7:05 mark in the second quarter -- a nearly seven minute drought. That allowed UIndy to claw their way back into the game, and while Hillsdale was able to respond and stay in front at halftime, it was by a narrow 31-29 margin.
The shooting issues continued to plague Hillsdale in the second half, as UIndy came out and outscored Hillsdale 20-8 in the third quarter to seize control of the game. The Chargers continued to battle hard at the defensive end and on the glass, but couldn't get their offense on track to get back in the game in the fourth quarter.
Touchette finished with 13 points to lead the Chargers, while senior Sydney Mills put up her third double-double of the season in a 10 point, 15 rebound performance. Arianna Sysum and Caitlin Splain each chipped in 11 points as well for the Chargers. Junior center Ashley Konkle also finished with seven rebounds and three blocks as well for Hillsdale.
The Chargers fall to 2-1 overall and will look to get back on track on Friday, when Hillsdale returns to the friendly confines of Dawn Tibbetts Potter Arena for a 5 p.m. contest against Purdue Northwest.
Photo by Anthony Lupi