Adversity can make or break you.
On Saturday, the Hillsdale College women's basketball team showed what it was made of in a 70-55 victory over visiting Trevecca Nazarene.
The Chargers entered the contest having lost three of their last four games, and trailed 31-26 at the half, but dug deep after halftime, outscoring Trevecca by 20 points in the second half to turn what could have been another tough loss into a resounding and much-needed victory over the Trojans.
While the Chargers did have a big offensive showing in the second half, the game was won with defense. Hillsdale held the Trojans to just 24 second-half points and 10 fourth-quarter points, locking down a dangerous Trevecca team offensively to pull away. That was especially true in the fourth quarter, as Hillsdale entered the period tied at 45-all with the Trojans. The Chargers held Trevecca Nazarene scoreless for nearly four minutes to start the period while going on a 7-0 run of their own to seize a lead Hillsdale would never relinquish. Building a 61-53 lead with 2:38 to play, the Chargers once again locked down with another 7-0 run while holding the Trojans scoreless to put the game away. Only two late free throws by Trevecca with eight seconds to go kept the Chargers from finishing the game on a big run.
Offensively, Caitlin Splain had an explosive second half off the bench for the Chargers to help Hillsdale turn the tables. Splain scored 17 of her 21 points in the second half and powered both of Hillsdale's big 7-0 runs to seize control of the game, while also chipping in five rebounds and two assists.
It was a big day in general for Hillsdale's reserves. Junior Dani Salenbien also had one of her best games of the season off the bench, scoring 13 points on 5 for 8 shooting to help keep Hillsdale in touch with Trevecca in the first half. Senior Grace Touchette also scored an efficient 16 points as well for the Chargers on 7 of 12 shooting from the floor, as well as two assists, and sophomore Carly Callahan added another double-digit scoring game in her second start of the season, chipping in 10 points and two steals. Senior Sydney Mills led the Chargers in rebounds as well with eight.
The victory gets Hillsdale back to .500 both overall (4-4) and in the G-MAC (1-1) as the Chargers head into a critical week on the road. Hillsdale travels to Tiffin on Thursday and then Ohio Dominican on Saturday, winnable games, but against two solid teams in tough places to play. Banking two road victories would get Hillsdale to 3-1 in conference play and could pay big dividends down the road, but neither will come easily in hostile environments.
Photo by Isabella Sheehan