Although it wasn't pretty, the Hillsdale College women's basketball team gutted out a 54-50 victory at home over Lake Erie to open conference play.

The Chargers never trailed in the contest and led by 14 points at halftime after closing the second quarter on an 11-3 run, but struggled to put away a pesky Lake Erie squad, as the Storm outscored Hillsdale 21-13 in the fourth quarter to make a game of it late. A Lake Erie 3-pointer with 19 seconds to play cut Hillsdale's lead to 52-50, but Savannah Smith was able to get behind the Lake Erie defense on an ensuing inbounds and scored the game sealing layup after a brilliant long pass from Sarah Aleknavicious set her up.

To beat the Storm, Hillsdale overcame a rough shooting night, finishing just 39% from the floor and 3 of 15 from 3-point range, as well as turnover troubles, with 19 in the contest. A long layoff, as the Chargers hadn't played in 10 days since before the Thanksgiving break, seemed to wreak havoc on Hillsdale's offensive rhythm. Smith played a huge role in helping the Chargers beat back the Storm, finishing with a season-high 19 points, six rebounds and two blocks. Annalise Pietrzyk also got in double figures with 10, and senior Emma Ruhlman provided a strong all-around performance, with six points, nine rebounds and three assists.

Aleknavicius led Hillsdale in assists with four, and also chipped in four points, five rebounds and two steals.

Hillsdale also had a solid night defensively. While the Chargers struggled shooting the ball, Hillsdale harassed Lake Erie into an even worse performance, holding the Storm to just 30% shooting from the floor and a 5 of 21 performance from 3-point range. 

Hillsdale is now 4-2 overall, 1-0 in the G-MAC and faces one of its biggest tests to date next week as the Chargers hit the road to battle a Northwood squad that's 2-0 in G-MAC play and expected to be a top contender for the conference crown this season. The game is also a rivalry contest and one that will factor into the winner of "The Jack", the all-sports trophy between the Chargers and Timberwolves. Tip-off is at 5:30 p.m. on Thursday.