The 20th-ranked Hillsdale College men's basketball team remained unbeaten in G-MAC play with a 77-49 win over Cedarville on Saturday night, thanks in large part to one of its most dominant single half performances of the season.
The Chargers demolished the visiting Yellow Jackets in every facet of the game in the first 20 minutes, outscoring Cedarville 46-17 to take a 29 point lead into halftime.
Eight different players scored for Hillsdale in the opening period as the Chargers diced up the Yellow Jackets defense, shooting 54.3% from the floor with 19 makes. Hillsdale was equally dominant at the other end, holding Cedarville to just six first half baskets and 25% shooting from the floor, including just six points in the paint at the break.
While Cedarville came back swinging in the second half, Hillsdale had no issues continuing to control the contest, never letting their lead fall below 22 points and playing the Yellow Jackets more or less to a standstill over the final 20 minutes.
Hillsdale had great offensive balance in the win, getting nearly half their points off the bench. Sophomore sixth man
Mikey McCollum led the way with 21 points on 9 of 14 shooting, as well as three rebounds and two steals.
Among the starters, senior
Charles Woodhams continued his efficient play with 16 points, three rebounds and two steals, in another strong performance, while senior
Joe Reuter just missed a double-double with eight points, 10 rebounds and three steals as well. Junior
Ashton Janowski chipped in eight points and four assists,
Eric Radisevic added eight points and four rebounds, and
Garrett Bolte chipped in five points off the bench.
Efficiency was key offensively for the Chargers on an off-night from 3-point range. Hillsdale turned the ball over just five times and consistently got to the rim, scoring 52 points in the paint. On defense, the Chargers turned 17 Cedarville turnovers into 21 points, thanks in part to 11 steals by Hillsdale.
The victory keeps the Chargers in a first-place tie atop the G-MAC standings with rival Findlay, as both teams are unbeaten in conference play, though Hillsdale, at 14-2 overall and 8-0 in the G-MAC, has a game in hand over the Oilers, who are 7-0 in conference contests. Both teams now have a multi-game lead over the rest of the field, and Hillsdale will look to keep building on that edge next week, as the Chargers host Walsh on Thursday in a rematch of a 79-55 victory for the Chargers in North Canton in December.
Photo by Joe Miller
