A strong first half performance had the Hillsdale College women's basketball team in solid position on the road at Northwood on Saturday.
But the Chargers couldn't overcome a massive third quarter run by the host Timberwolves in a 76-62 loss that drops Hillsdale to 4-5 overall and 1-1 in G-MAC play.
Hillsdale trailed 20-13 early in the second quarter but closed the half on a 23-6 run, as junior Caitlin Splain got hot and scored 10 of her 15 points, including two 3-pointers, to help Hillsdale catch fire in the quarter. The Chargers knocked down four 3-pointers and shot 77% from the floor to take an eight point edge into the break.
After halftime, however, Northwood seized control, shooting 6 of 7 from distance in the 3rd quarter to outscore Hillsdale 31-13 and turn an eight-point Chargers lead into an eight point Northwood lead the other way. The Timberwolves cooled off in the fourth quarter, shooting just 40% from the floor, but got enough done offensively to hold off the Chargers down the stretch. Hillsdale made several runs at Northwood's lead but couldn't overcome the deficit late.
Hillsdale's defense held Northwood to 41.4% shooting from the floor, but the Timberwolves pulled away thanks to 14 made 3-pointers and a 46.7% mark from distance. That gap proved to be critical in the second half. Northwood also won the rebounding battle, 49-36, limiting second-chance opportunities for the Chargers in an otherwise relatively even contest.
Sydney Mills led Hillsdale with a 16 point, 12 rebound double-double and also chipped in three assists and three steals. Splain added 15 points, four assists and three rebounds, and junior Kendall McCormick added nine points, six rebounds and five steals. Redshirt freshman Sydney Pnacek chipped in nine points off the bench and Lauren McDonald added four points, four rebounds, six assists and four steals for the Chargers. True freshman Annalise Pietrzyk added five points as well for Hillsdale.
The Chargers will look to bounce back next Saturday with another road trip to Malone for a 1 p.m. tip-off. The Pioneers were an NCAA Tournament team last year and should be a challenging opponent for Hillsdale at home in the Chargers' final contest before Christmas.