The Chargers are deep defensively; Top Walsh 59-50 to extend the winning streak to eight

Playing its fourth game in eight days, the Hillsdale College women’s basketball team earned a thrilling but debilitating road win Tuesday at Northwood. On Thursday it had to overcome Walsh in a 59-50 battle and claim victory.

The Chargers overcame one of their worst shooting nights of the season offensively, just 29.3% from the floor and 16.7% from 3-point range, with a stellar defensive performance, holding the Cavaliers to similarly high percentages from the field and converting 20 Walsh- Turnovers at the other end resulted in 21 points.

Hillsdale looked like they might take the game early, outscoring Walsh 19-5 in a dominant first quarter performance. But the Chargers were off the field in the second quarter, scoring just seven points and allowing the Cavaliers to claw their way back into the game at halftime.

Walsh tied the game with a 3-pointer with 5:53 left in the third quarter, but Hillsdale never let the Cavaliers take the lead in the second half and thankfully built the lead back to 43-38 at the end of the three quarters 3-pointer from Annalize Pietrzyk and a tip over Lauren McDonald about her last two possessions.

Hillsdale controlled the final quarter defensively, never letting Walsh come close to a possession and shooting eight of 10 from the free throw line in the quarter to finish off Walsh and secure the team’s eighth straight win.

Free throws were a crucial factor in the game, as the Chargers were able to draw fouls throughout the contest against an overly aggressive Walsh defense, allowing Hillsdale to score 22 crucial points at the free throw line. senior Lauren McDonald She led Hillsdale with a double-double of 17 points and 11 rebounds and was 11 of 14 at the free throw line alone. McDonald also had four assists, three blocks and three steals, putting on an all-around great performance.

Second semester Annalize Pietrzyk also contributed 10 points off the bench for the Chargers, Savannah Smith added nine points and five rebounds, Kendall McCormick finished the game with seven points and five rebounds and Emma Ruhlmann also had seven points and four rebounds.

The rebound was another advantage for the Chargers in the win, as Hillsdale outscored Walsh 46-34, including 18 offensive rebounds, and converted them into 16 second-chance points.

With the win, Hillsdale remains among the G-MAC leaders at 11-5 overall and 8-1 in conference play. The Chargers are now tied with Ashland for second place, one game behind G-MAC leader Malone.

Ashland is Hillsdale’s next opponent as the Chargers have a full week to prepare for a road trip to the Eagles next Thursday. Hillsdale will look to end its 12-game losing streak against national-ranked Ashland dating back to 2014 and move into sole possession of second place.

Photo by Emma Purdy