On Saturday, the Hillsdale College women’s basketball team came back home after two weeks on the road to defeat Walsh University.
The Chargers were able to celebrate Senior Day by clinching a spot in the GLIAC tournament with the 75-63 victory. Walsh was the first team Hillsdale has defeated both times they have met this season. So far, Hillsdale had gone 1-1 against every other South Division team.
“Everyone was in it for each other,” sophomore Kelsey Cromer said. “It was a fun atmosphere.”
Senior Allyson Lloyd had nine points in her first career start.
“It’s great that the coaches were willing to let me go out on that kind of note,” Lloyd said. “I’m very grateful.”
Junior Chelsea Farrell set a new career high and led the team in scoring with 22 points. She also had nine rebounds.
“We have so much talent on the team,” senior Angela Bisaro said. “It’s fun to see that and to play with them.”
Junior Megan Fogt had 18 points, 19 rebounds, and six blocks. Fogt earned her sixth GLIAC South Player of the Week award. She also was named the Women’s Division II Bulletin February Player of the Month. Fogt leads the division with 16 rebounds per game, and is second in the division with 18 double-doubles.
Fogt also had a good game on Thursday, Feb. 20 against Malone University, with 20 points and 18 rebounds.
Despite Fogt’s performance, Hillsdale lost 69-77 at Malone, a team that has gone 11-2 at home.
“It’s tough to win on the road,” head coach Claudette Charney said.
Hillsdale finished the first half down 29-39, but was able to tie up the game with 9:40 left in the second half, 56-56.
“We couldn’t get over the hump,” Charney said.
Hillsdale was never able to take the lead during the game.
“Our biggest problem is that we were in our own heads, and we weren’t playing as a team,” Cromer said.
She explained individual players were able to make important plays, but they couldn’t put them together as a team.
Junior Brooke Borowski had 15 points in her third game back since being injured.
“We had the opportunity to swing the momentum, but we didn’t take advantage of those moments,” Lloyd said.
On Thursday, Feb. 27., Hillsdale plays its final game of the season at home against University of Findlay.
This will be the last time the seniors are able to play at home, and Bisaro said they hope to finish strong against their rivals.
“We’ve already beat them,” Cromer said, “but we can’t let them have their revenge.”
The Chargers play their first game of the GLIAC tournament on March 5.
“This team is very capable,” Lloyd said. “There is no reason we can’t win.”
