The Hillsdale College women's basketball team suffered a tough loss on the road on Friday night, as the Chargers forced overtime but couldn't hold on to a late lead in a 75-74 loss to host Purdue Northwest. 

Hillsdale got six points from senior Lauren McDonald to build an overtime lead, and led 74-71 with 20 seconds to play in the extra period. But Purdue Northwest got to the foul line to cut the Chargers' edge to 74-72, and then a costly turnover with 10 seconds to play set up the Pride for a game-winning 3-point shot that sent the Chargers out with a loss despite a strong effort.

In regulation, it had been Hillsdale with a miracle comeback to force the extra period. The Chargers trailed 62-57 with 39 seconds to play, but Savannah Smith buried two free throws with 27 seconds left to make it a one possession game, and after Purdue Northwest failed to convert at the free throw line, senior Caitlin Splain buried a 3-pointer to tie the contest up and force overtime.

The frantic finish to both regulation and overtime fit a a back and forth contest with big swings in momentum between both teams. Hillsdale couldn't hold a double-digit third quarter lead, but rallied anyways to force the extra period.

McDonald had a sensational first game, shooting 11 of 14 from the floor, an extremely high percentage for a guard, to finish with a game-high 25 points as well as seven rebounds and three steals. Splain knocked down four 3-pointers to finish with 18 points and four rebounds, Smith added 11 points, six rebounds and four assists, and Annalise Pietrzyk chipped in 10 points off the bench. Kendall McCormick also added eight points, seven rebounds and two blocks for the Chargers.

Hillsdale will look to regroup and split the weekend tomorrow with a neutral-site contest back in Hammond, Indiana against Illinois-Springfield at 6 p.m. Eastern Time.