Against an upset-minded Ohio Dominican team on the road on Thursday, the Hillsdale College men's basketball team jumped out into the lead early with a torrid start and never looked back in a 76-59 victory.
The Chargers hit nine of their first 11 shots and shot 65% from the floor in the first half, including 9 of 14 from 3-point range, to build a 45-26 halftime lead.
Junior Jack Gohlke played a big role in Hillsdale's explosive start, going 5 of 7 from 3-point range in the first half, including makes on his first five attempts. Leading 17-7, the Chargers hit five 3-point baskets in four minutes of game time, including three by Gohlke, to extend the lead to 32-16.
Hillsdale quickly extended its lead to 24 points early in the second half, before a nearly six minute field goal drought allowed the Panthers to cut the Chargers' lead to 12 with 8:39 to play. But ODU never got closer than that, as Hillsdale used a 9-0 run late to seal the victory, punctuated by another 3-pointer from Gohlke, who was 7 of 10 from beyond the arc and tied his career high with 25 points.
Junior Patrick Cartier also played a big role offensively for Hillsdale with another dominant outing. The big man finished with his second double-double of the season, putting up 25 points and 11 rebounds and also dishing out five assists. Freshman Joe Reuter chipped in 12 points off the bench, going 4 for 5 from the floor and 2 of 2 from 3-point range in an efficent performance. Senior Austen Yarian added four points, seven rebounds and four assists for the Chargers.
Hillsdale finished the game shooting 56% from the floor and 50% from 3-point range, while holding the Panthers to 39% shooting from the floor and 28% from deep. Only an uncharacteristically high 15 turnovers kept the Chargers from putting on one of their best offensive performances of the season to date.
The victory helps Hillsdale, now 14-4 overall and 9-3 in the G-MAC, keep pace with the other five primary contenders in the conference title race. The Chargers will host one of those five teams, 6-4 Cedarville, on Saturday in a critical contest for both teams, as neither can afford a loss with teams ahead of them in the title race and a tough schedule ahead over the next couple of weeks.
Photo by Anthony Lupi