The 13th-ranked Hillsdale College men's basketball team kept pace with visiting Findlay for a half, but the Oilers' shooting never cooled off in an 85-68 Findlay win on Saturday.
The Chargers trailed for much of the first half as Findlay came out firing with 36 points on 59.3% shooting, but Hillsdale was able to keep the halftime deficit to just four points behind an excellent first half from junior forward Patrick Cartier, who scored 18 of his 26 points in the first 20 minutes on 6 of 7 shooting from the floor.
With a chance to reel Findlay back in to start the second half, Hillsdale just couldn't get the stops it needed to close the deficit, as Findlay pushed a four-point edge to a 10-point advantage six minutes into the period, then held the Chargers at roughly that deficit until late in the game. Hillsdale was forced to foul late, allowing the Oilers to stretch the margin further with free throws in the 17-point win.
After shooting 59.3% from the floor in the first half, the Oilers shot 57.7% in the second, keeping up their torrid pace to pull away. All five starters finished in double figures for Findlay. Hillsdale struggled offensively, shooting just 45.8% from the floor, but did get to the line consistently, going 18 of 23 on free throws to help stay in the game until midway through the second half.
Cartier led all scorers with 26 points in the contest, junior Jack Gohlke chipped in 14 points and three assists off the bench, and junior Tavon Brown hit all three of his shots for eight points and four rebounds.
Noah Applegate was 8 for 8 at the line to finish with eight points as well for Hillsdale, along with three rebounds and two assists, and Austen Yarian added six points, eight rebounds and four assists for Hillsdale.
The Chargers lost the turnover battle to the Oilers 13-5 and were outscored 20-4 in points off turnovers. Findlay also had the edge in the paint, outscoring the Chargers 44-30 in that area.
Hillsdale falls to 8-2 overall, and 4-1 in G-MAC play. The Chargers wrap up 2021 with a Monday contest at home at 1 p.m. against Northwood, and will celebrate Community Day for that contest. All purchased tickets at Monday's game will receive a voucher for free admission to the Pat Paterson Rotary Classic taking place after the conclusion of the contest against the Timberwolves.
Photo by Gwen Buchhop