An ice-cold first half led to the Hillsdale College women's basketball defeat at Northern Michigan University Saturday afternoon.

The Chargers committed 18 turnovers and scored just nine points in the first half of a 57-39 loss to the Wildcats in Marquette. The loss drops Hillsdale to 7-5 overall and 2-4 in the GLIAC.

Hillsdale missed 21 of its first 24 shots from the field in the first half, when it trailed NMU 35-9. The Charger deficit grew to as many as 28 at one point, but as the second half moved along, Hillsdale began to rediscover its typical offensive flow.

In the second half, Hillsdale outscored Northern Michigan 30-22, playing a much better half than it did in the first. The Chargers also committed just six turnovers in the second half while forcing 12 by the Wildcats in the final two quarter.

Sophomore forward Makenna Ott led the team with 11 points, all coming in the second half. Sophomore guard Allie Dewire had 8 points and six assists, while junior Maddy Reed led the Chargers with six rebounds.

UP NEXT: Hillsdale plays at the University of Indianapolis at 6 p.m. Dec. 29.