The Hillsdale College women's basketball team used a massive advantage on both the offensive and defensive glass to full effect in a 98-70 victory over visiting Roosevelt on Monday night.
The Chargers pulled down 61 boards, just three shy of the program's single-game record, and outrebounded the Lakers by 36, turning 23 offensive rebounds into 18 second-chance points in the win.
That tenacity on the glass paid off for Hillsdale in a big second quarter, as the Chargers pulled down 16 rebounds and used the extra possessions to outscore Roosevelt 29-11 in the period. That big run helped turn a 21-20 deficit at the end of the first quarter into a 17-point halftime lead for Hillsdale.
The Chargers put the game away in the third quarter, shooting 52.2% from the floor and outscoring Roosevelt 28-16 to extend the lead past any chance of a Lakers comeback.
With a big second half lead, all 16 dressed players saw at least eight minutes of game action for the Chargers, and 15 got into the scorebook. Sophomore Lauren McDonald led the way with 14 points and five rebounds off the bench for Hillsdale, a strong showing for the mid-year addition to the roster, while Carly Callahan chipped in 13 points and six rebounds and Arianna Sysum added 13 points and seven rebounds as well for Hillsdale.
Senior Grace Touchette finished with 12 points, five rebounds and four assists to give the Chargers four double-figure scorers in the victory. Off the bench, freshman Emma Ruhlman set a new career high with four points, Macy Berglund chipped in five points and three rebounds, and Maverick Depl and Caitlin Splain each chipped in six points as well for Hillsdale.
Sydney Mills was the leading rebounder for the Chargers, pulling down nine rebounds and also adding two assists.
The Chargers improve to 9-6 overall on the season, and next return to league play on Thursday with a 5:30 p.m. contest against visiting Northwood. At 2-3 in the G-MAC currently, Hillsdale has work to do in the standings, but are riding a five game winning streak in non-exhibition contests and look poised to make a second-half push in G-MAC play.
Photo by Isabella Sheehan