Playing its fourth game in eight days, and coming off a thrilling but draining victory on the road at Northwood on Tuesday, the Hillsdale College women's basketball team had to scrap and claw their way to victory against visiting Walsh on Thursday in a 59-50 contest.

The Chargers overcame one of their worst shooting nights of the season offensively, just 29.3% from the floor and 16.7% from 3-point range, with a stellar defensive effort, holding the Cavaliers to similarly rough percentages from the field and turning 20 Walsh turnovers into 21 points at the other end.

Hillsdale looked like they might run away with the game early, outscoring Walsh 19-5 in a dominant first quarter performance. But the Chargers went cold from the field in the second quarter, scoring just seven points and allowing the Cavaliers to claw their way back into the game at the half.

Walsh tied the game at 32 apiece on a 3-pointer with 5:53 left in the third quarter, but Hillsdale never let the Cavaliers pull ahead in the second half, stretching the lead back to 43-38 at the end of three quarters thanks to a 3-pointer by Annalise Pietrzyk and a tip in by Lauren McDonald on their final two possessions.

Hillsdale controlled the final quarter defensively, never letting Walsh get within one possession and shooting eight of 10 from the free throw line in the period to finish off Walsh and clinch the team's eighth straight victory.

Free throws were a big separator in the game as the Chargers were able to draw fouls throughout the contest from an overly aggressive Walsh defense, allowing Hillsdale to rack up 22 crucial points at the free throw line. Senior Lauren McDonald led the way for Hillsdale with a 17 point, 11 rebound double-double and was 11 of 14 at the free throw line on her own. McDonald also chipped in four assists, three blocks and three steals in an all-around great performance.

Sophomore Annalise Pietrzyk also chipped in 10 points off the bench for the Chargers, Savannah Smith added nine points and five rebounds, Kendall McCormick finished with seven points and five rebounds, and Emma Ruhlman also had seven points and four rebounds as well.

Rebounding was another edge for the Chargers in the victory, as Hillsdale outrebounded Walsh 46-34, including 18 offensive rebounds, and turned that into 16 second-chance points.

Hillsdale remains among the G-MAC leaders at 11-5 overall and 8-1 in conference play with the win. The Chargers are now tied with Ashland for second place, a game back of G-MAC leader Malone. 

Ashland is Hillsdale's next opponent, as the Chargers get a whole week to prepare for a road trip to the Eagles next Thursday. Hillsdale will be aiming to snap a 12-game losing streak to nationally ranked Ashland that dates back to 2014, and move into sole possession of second place.

Photo by Emma Purdy