With the G-MAC Tournament just a week away, the Hillsdale College women's basketball team can't afford any slip-ups as it tries to make its first appearance since 2019.
The Chargers had that fact in mind on Monday, taking care of business with an excellent defensive effort in a 75-55 home win over Trevecca Nazarene.
Hillsdale held the Trojans to just 27.4% shooting from the field and 18.8% from 3-point range, pulling away in the second half. The Chargers played well as a team defensively, but junior Arianna Sysum in particular had a standout performance, drawing the G-MAC's second-leading scorer, Keeley Carter, and holding her seven points under her average to set the tone for Hillsdale on the night.
Sysum also chipped in 13 points and six rebounds on 4 of 5 shooting for the Chargers, adding to a balanced attack offensively for Hillsdale on the night. Four players finished in double figures for the Chargers, with senior Grace Touchette leading the way with 15 points, five rebounds and five assists.
Senior Lauren Daffenberg hit four 3-pointers as well for the Chargers, giving her 203 for her career and moving her past former teammate Brittany Gray for third all-time in career made 3-pointer at Hillsdale. The senior finished with 14 points, and junior Sydney Mills rounded out Hillsdale's offensive standouts with an 11 point, 14 rebound double-double, her 11th of the season, as well as three blocks.
Sophomore Dani Salenbien chipped in six points, five rebounds and four assists as well for Hillsdale, freshman Carly Callahan chipped in six points and five rebounds, and freshman Kendall McCormick scored five points as well.
Hillsdale started slowly, shooting below 40 percent in the first half and taking just a five point lead into the break. The Chargers seized control in the third quarter, outscoring Trevecca 21-12 to take a double-digit advantage, then kept building that lead with 22 fourth-quarter points to seal the victory.
The Chargers are now 13-12 overall, 10-9 in G-MAC play. Hillsdale is in a four-team race for the final two G-MAC Tournament spots with Malone, Findlay and Tiffin, and will face off against Tiffin on Thursday at 5:30 p.m. at home in another must-win game for Hillsdale's tourney hopes. It's also the final home game of the season for the Chargers, who finish the regular season on the road at Ashland at 1 p.m. on Saturday.
Photo by Isabella Sheehan