After a month-and-a-half long drought, the Hillsdale College women’s basketball team finally added a second win at home to their record.
The Chargers defeated rival Grand Valley State University 73-57 on Saturday afternoon at Dawn Tibbetts Potter Arena. The win was the second of a three-win weekend that began on Thursday night when the Chargers beat Ferris State 68-55, and continued at Saginaw Valley State University on Monday with a 67-49 victory.
After Monday’s win, the Chargers exceeded last season’s number of wins and stand with an overall record of 13-6 and 9-6 in the GLIAC.
“We finally put together a game where we were consistent offensively and defensively for 40 minutes,” junior Ashlyn Landherr said of Saturday’s victory. “We raised the bar during the game and we need to keep it there.”
Head coach Claudette Charney told her team it was their “signature win of the season” and was equally as thrilled as her players afterwards.
“It was definitely the most intense and highest energy that we’ve had for the entire season,” sophomore Morgan Blair said.
The Chargers held GVSU to 36 percent shooting by deploying a terrific defense against one of the GLIAC’s toughest 3-point shooting teams. The Chargers held the Lakers to only five 3-pointers on 22 attempts.
“We were able to stop their good shooters and good penetrators, and when you do that offensive play comes a lot easier,” senior Brooke Borowski said.
That was the case on Saturday as senior Megan Fogt led the Chargers with 16 points and 15 rebounds. Senior Kadie Lowery finished with 15 points, including three 3-point shots. Blair also added 13 points and junior Kayla Geffert scored nine.
The win was a full-team effort, as multiple Chargers came off the bench to help defeat the Lakers. Landherr said the team’s depth and versatility has been the team’s strength while other teams have been limited in options.
Many different players have found the spotlight during Hillsdale’s three-game winning streak. Borowski scored a career-high 21 points on Thursday at Ferris draining five 3-pointers and leading her team on a 23-6 point run at the start of the second half to expand the Chargers’ lead.
On Monday, the Chargers gained their 11th road win at Saginaw Valley State University.
“We just always have a lot of energy when we’re on the road,” Borowski said.
In Monday’s contest, Lowery had another stellar performance with 18 points. Sophomore Becca Scherting also came to play, as she suited up for a game in her hometown. Scherting scored nine points, grabbed five rebounds and had three assists off the bench.
The women will play two games at home this weekend, beginning tonight as the Chargers take on Northwood University at 6 p.m. before hosting Lake Superior State University at 1 p.m. on Saturday. The Chargers have already tallied a win against both of these teams earlier in their season.
Landherr said her team is already looking ahead to the GLIAC tournament that begins in March.
“We’re just trying to keep winning so we would play a lower seed,” Landherr said. “Last year we were seeded eighth and we had to play the first seed. We definitely want to try to get a higher seed this year.”
