The 20th-ranked Hillsdale College men's basketball team overcame a slow start with determined defense and second-half shooting to roll past visiting Tiffin 84-60 on Thursday night and remain unbeaten in G-MAC play.

Hillsdale scored just 10 points in the first 10 minutes of the game as it acclimated to the contest and physical defense from the Dragons, but thanks to stops and transition baskets, the Chargers were able to seize control of the contest in the final five minutes of the half. The Chargers closed on a 15-4 run over the last five and a half minutes to take a 37-22 lead into halftime, getting downhill and into the paint to create easy baskets before Tiffin could get its defense set. 

The Chargers continued to control the tempo to start the second half, nearly doubling its lead to 28 in the first five and a half minutes after the break and all but putting the game out of reach. Tiffin made a late charge to cut the Chargers' lead to 16 at one point, but never seriously threatened to get back into the game.

Hillsdale finished with 19 transition points, using pace to create easy baskets during their runs before and after halftime, and also dominated the glass, outrebounding Tiffin 40-25 and creating 14 additional second-chance points as well to pull away.

Charles Woodhams led Hillsdale offensively, shooting 70% from the floor and finishing with 17 points and three assists, but it was a balanced effort for the Chargers, who also got 13 points, seven rebounds and two blocks in just 13 minutes of action from senior post Eric Radisevic in an impressive showing.

Senior Joe Reuter filled up the stat sheet with 11 points, six assists, four rebounds and three steals for the Chargers, sophomore Mikey McCollum chipped in 11 points and seven rebounds off the bench, and Logan Beaston was 3 for 4 from 3-point range to chip in nine points as well.

CJ Yarian also played well off the bench for Hillsdale, teaming with Radisevic at the center position and finishing with eight points, seven rebounds and two blocks.

Hillsdale is now 13-2 overall, 7-0 in G-MAC play and one of two remaining unbeatens in the conference along with Findlay after Kentucky Wesleyan fell to Lake Erie tonight. The Chargers enter the weekend looking to keep pace with the Oilers and stretch out their lead over the chasing pack, as Hillsdale hosts a dangerous Cedarville team at 3 p.m. for its next contest.

Photo by Emma Purdy