Despite a game effort in the second half, the Hillsdale College women's basketball team couldn't keep pace with the top-ranked team in NCAA DII on Saturday, falling to visiting Ashland 90-59.

The Eagles were red hot in the first half, shooting 10 of 18 from deep in the first two quarters to build a 50-25 advantage. Six different players hit at least one 3-pointer in the contest for Ashland as the Eagles, the defending NCAA DII national champions, shot 52.9% from the floor and 41.4% from deep.

Hillsdale got a strong effort from junior Lauren McDonald, who scored 21 points along with six rebounds and three assists, but it wasn't enough to match Ashland offensively. Saturday was also senior day for the Chargers, who celebrated graduating players Dani Hohlbein, Sydney Mills and Olivia Patch. Mills had a solid outing as well, with 14 points, five rebounds and two steals for the Chargers, while Hohlbein chipped in four points and two rebounds off the bench.

Kendall McCormick added seven points, four rebounds, four assists and two steals for the Chargers, and Savannah Smith finished with six points, four rebounds and two assists as well.

Hillsdlae is now 14-6 overall, 10-6 in G-MAC play, and in seventh place in the G-MAC standings with four games to play. The Chargers hit the road next week for two big contests at teams that are close behind them in the standings, traveling to Ohio Dominican (currently 10th) on Thursday and Findlay (currently 9th) on Saturday. Two victories there would all but lock up a spot in the G-MAC Tournament for the Chargers if Hillsdale can pull it off on the road.

Photo by Reva Ludwig