Long-distance shooting was the difference for the Chargers as the Hillsdale College women's basketball team defeated University of Puerto Rico-Bayamon to finish its Puerto Rico trip undefeated on Friday.
Both the Chargers and Cowgirls attempted (59) and hit (23) the same number of shots from the floor in the contest, but 11 of Hillsdale's makes came from beyond the arc, while Bayamon made just four 3-pointers. Those extra points helped turn a close game into a a 67-56 win for Hillsdale, the Chargers' third straight.
Much of Hillsdale's damage was done in a 30 point second quarter, where the Chargers turned a 12-11 game into a massive halftime lead. Sophomore Caitlin Splain was 3 for 3 from 3-point range off the bench in the second quarter for Hillsdale, and 5 for 7 for the game for a team-leading 15 points.
The game tightened up in the second half, as Bayamon outscored Hillsdale 22-11 in the third quarter, closing to within four points of the lead with 6:05 to play. But Splain hit another 3-pointer with 3:40 to go to stretch Hillsdale's lead back to 10, and the Chargers were able to lock down defensively, conceding just six points in the final six minutes of the game, to close out the victory.
Along with Splain's performance off the bench, seniors Grace Touchette and Arianna Sysum each chipped in 12 points as well, with Touchette adding five rebounds and five assists, and Sysum also finishing with eight rebounds.
Sophomore Carly Callahan hit three 3-pointers to finish with nine points, three assists and three steals, and Sydney Mills chipped in nine points, seven rebounds and four assists as well.
With the win, the Chargers are now 7-6 overall, and are off for the week of Christmas before traveling to Ypsilanti, Michigan on Wednesday, Dec. 28 for an exhibition contest at 7 p.m. against NCAA Division I Eastern Michigan. Hillsdale's next home game is Friday, Dec. 30 at 5 p.m. against Madonna.
Photo by Isabella Sheehan