Sophomore Savannah Smith shoots a jumper. Courtesy | Reva Ludwig

The Chargers defeated Walsh University 59-50 at home on Thursday Jan. 16, marking the Chargers’ eighth consecutive victory. 

“Walsh is a good team that’s always very scrappy, very competitive,” head coach Brianna Brennan said.

The Chargers still won despite one of their worst offensive games, shooting only 29% from the floor and making 17% of their three-point shots.

“It was a nine-point win for us, but it really didn’t feel like it,” Brennan said. “They just battled them till the end. It was definitely not our best overall game.”

Brennan said the game against Walsh was the Chargers’ fourth game in eight days.

“I think you could tell that our bodies were just a little bit exhausted,” Brennan said. “So the fact that we competed hard enough is a big win.”

The Chargers scored 21 points off Walsh turnovers. Hillsdale had 46 rebounds compared to Walsh’s 34, and the Chargers recorded 16 points off rebounds.

“We absolutely crushed them on the boards, which was really exciting,” Brennan said. “And we had 18 offensive rebounds, and so getting those second-chance buckets was just huge and definitely a momentum killer for the other team.”

The Chargers started strong but only scored seven points in the second quarter.

Walsh tied the game at 32-32 at the end of the third quarter, but Hillsdale never let them take the lead.

In the final quarter, Hillsdale made eight of 10 free throws to win the game.

Senior Lauren McDonald had 17 points for the Chargers and was 11 for 14 from the line.

“Making free throws when it matters was a huge part of that game,” McDonald said.

Sophomore Annalise Pietrzyk scored 10 points, sophomore Savannah Smith scored nine points, and senior Kendall McCormick and junior Emma Ruhlman each scored seven points for the Chargers.

Hillsdale’s record improves to 8-1 in conference play and 11-5 overall, placing them alongside Ashland University and tied for second place in the Great Midwest Athletic Conference rankings.

“We are looking forward to and focusing on this week because we have some important games coming up with Ashland and Findlay, who are also at the top of the conference rankings right now,” McDonald said.

The Chargers will next travel to play Ashland on Jan. 23, who they are currently tied with for second. Hillsdale has lost to Ashland for 12 consecutive years since 2014. 

The Chargers will also play the University of Findlay at home on Saturday, Jan. 25.

“We are all super excited to have the opportunity to compete with two really great teams,” McCormick said.