The Hillsdale College women's basketball team took a 41-39 lead into the fourth quarter, but couldn't hold off a late charge by host Malone in a 58-49 road loss on Saturday.
The Chargers rallied from a seven point third quarter deficit to take the lead on an Emma Ruhlman jumper as time expired in the third, and played good defense to stay in the game until the final minute, but couldn't overcome a 2 for 14 shooting performance in the fourth quarter as Malone opened the period on an 8-2 run to seize control, then made free throws late to hold off Hillsdale.
Junior Caitlin Splain led the Chargers with 15 points and three steals in the loss, while freshman Annalise Pietrzyk had a huge game for Hillsdale off the bench, scoring 11 points and grabbing eight rebounds, both career highs, in 21 minutes of action for Hillsdale.
Kendall McCormick chipped in 10 points, six rebounds and three steals for Hillsdale, and Lauren McDonald added five points and four rebounds for the Chargers, who forced eight steals and caused 16 Malone turnovers. Hillsdale, however, had 18 turnovers of their own and, missing starting power forward Sydney Mills, were unable to contain Malone center Erin Kaufman in the paint, as she finished with 20 points on the night herself.
Hillsdale shot just 34.5% from the floor in the loss and were 3 of 26 from 3-point range, but were able to hold Malone to 13.3% shooting from deep to give themselves a chance to win.
The Chargers fall to 4-6 overall, 1-2 in the G-MAC and have 12 days off before their next contest against Davenport on Dec. 28 to rest and recuperate. Hillsdale has been missing multiple potential starters due to injuries throughout the season, and a return to health for the Chargers would be a big boost as Hillsdale approaches the second half of the season.
Photo by Austin Thomason