November 29, 2008 - A pair of big scoring runs at crucial times helped the Hillsdale College women's basketball team finish its pre-conference schedule with a perfect record Saturday aftermoon.

The Chargers improved to 4-0 on this new season with a 77-63 win over the University of Indianapolis Saturday, in the second of the two-day Thanksgiving Weekend Tournament, held in Indianapolis. Hillsdale will make its regular season home debut Thursday night by hosting GLIAC foe Lake Superior State University.

The Chargers used a 16-5 run to end the second half, turning around a four-point deficit into a 37-30 halftime lead. Then, early in the second half, Hillsdale blitzed Indianapolis 18-4 in a six-plus minute span to open up a 70-49 lead.

Key in that second-half run were two 3-point baskets by freshman guard Chelsea Harrison, who performed marvelously all weekend. Playing more than 30 minutes in both games this weekend, Harrison did an excellent job at both ends of the court for the Chargers, making shots at key times to go along with strong defense for the team.

However, Indy rallied after being down 21. The Greyhounds scored 10 straight points in less than two minutes to turn a rout into a tense 11-point lead for Hillsdale. Although the Chargers struggled to score in the game's final seven minutes, their defense came through in the most important times.

Indianapolis either missed shots or committed turnovers on four straight possessions after the 10-0 burst, halting any momentum it had built up. A layup by senior Katie Cezat, followed by a 3-point shot from senior Claire Aubrey, gave Hillsdale back the breathing room it needed to close out the win.

Cezat was able to play most of the second half saddled with three fouls, but did not lose any of her trademark efficiency on offense. She once again led all players in the game with 29 points and 14 rebounds. She shot 10-for-13 from the field and made all nine of her free throws.

The charity stripe was a key difference in the game, as Hillsdale outscored Indianapolis 21-6 from the free throw line. As a team, the Chargers made 88 percent of their free throws (21-for-24) compared to 43 percent for the Greyhounds (6-for-14).

Harrison was 5-for-8 from the field and had 12 points for Hillsdale. Aubrey and junior Brooke Knight each contributed 11 points, with Knight dishing out nine assists for the second game in a row.

Click on the link below for the box score from Saturday's game.


Box score