Box score
The game might not count in the season standings, but it's one that will always be remembered by those who saw it and played in it.
In a game filled with breathless drama, the Hillsdale College men's basketball team lost 100-99 in double overtime to the University of Toledo Saturday afternoon in an exhibition matchup. Because it was an exhibition game, the final result and stats will not count for either team's record.
The Chargers erased a 12-point deficit with less than eight minutes left in regulation to eventually force two extra sessions against one of the Mid-American Conference's most consistently successful programs.
The Rockets missed two free throws with 1 second left in regulation. Charger senior Kyle Cooper's ¾ court shot rimmed in and out at the buzzer, forcing the first overtime.
Toledo led 82-77 with 2:57 left in the first OT, but the Chargers kept fighting. Senior guard Zach Miller converted a three-point play, followed by a Cooper layup that tied the game again, 84-84, at the end of the first overtime. But on the first possession of the second OT, Cooper was called for his fifth foul, sending him to the bench. Still, Hillsdale refused to give up.
Sophomore Stedman Lowry hit a 3-pointer, and was later fouled taking a three with 14 seconds left in the second overtime. Lowry drained all three, tying the game at 99 apiece. But Lowry was somehow, called for a foul while boxing his man out, with 3 seconds left. Toledo's Jordan Lauf made one of the two free throws his was given, sealing the game.
Cooper, the preseason GLIAC Player of the Year, had 26 points and 16 rebounds for the Chargers. Lowry had 25 points, going 5-for-9 from 3-point land. Miller added 18 points and 10 assists, while sophomore Ryan Badowski's first appearance in a Hillsdale uniform was highlighted by 12 points, 6 rebounds and 3 assists.
Hillsdale outrebounded Toledo 50-38, but the Rockets attempted 23 more free throws than the Chargers in the contest.
UP NEXT: Hillsdale officially opens its season with a game at nationally ranked Indianapolis on Tuesday, Nov. 17.
PHOTO CREDIT: Jim Drews
