December 20, 2008 – The nine-game winning streak to open this season came to an end for the Hillsdale College women’s basketball team Saturday night.

The Chargers fell to 9-1 on the season in a 71-69 road loss to Grand Valley State University. Hillsdale is 4-1 in the GLIAC, while the Lakers are 7-2 overall and 4-1 in the GLIAC.

Hillsdale was dealt much adversity in the game, in the form of foul trouble to key players, and the Lakers’ zone defense, which was extremely effective the entire game. The Chargers never led in the second half, though the game was tied in the last two miniutes.

Senior Katie Eckinger made two huge 3-point baskets to tie the game 63-63 with 1:17 left in the game. But Grand Valley State was able to get the one difference-making basket, and hit six straight free throws to win the game.

Laker freshman Emma Veach hit a short jump shot from the paint to give the Lakers a 65-63 lead. Charger senior Katie Cezat was hit hard with the ball on Hillsdale’s next possession, but a jump ball was called, and the possession arrow pointed in Grand Valley’s direction with 29 seconds left in the game. That forced Hillsdale to foul the Lakers to get extra possessions, but the Lakers were clutch from the line, making all six of their attempts in the final 24 seconds of the game.

Juniors Brooke Knight and Janay Miller each hit running jumpers to keep the Chargers within two points, but Hillsdale simply ran out of time in the game.

Knight, who hit the game-winning shot in a 72-70 win over Findlay Thursday, set a new career-high in scoring in the game. She finished with 19 points, four assists and three steals while making 9-of-13 shots from the field while playing all 40 minutes.

Cezat had to sit out six minutes of the second half after being whistled for her fourth foul with 14:48 left in the second half. She returned at the 8:26 mark, during which Hillsdale was only outscored by two points, 7-5.

Cezat had another huge game, making her first career start in University Arena. She had 27 points, 21 rebounds and one blocked shot. She had 10 offensive boards in the game. It was her third 20-rebound game of the season, all coming since Dec. 4. For the season, Cezat is averaging 26.8 points and 15.7 rebounds per game.

After struggling with Grand Valley State’s quick, zone defense, the Chargers made some good adjustments, finishing the half on a 7-0 run to close the Laker lead to one, 32-31. It was the first time all season Hillsdale trailed at halftime. The Chargers outrebounded the Lakers 23-11 in the game’s first 20 minutes.

Grand Valley State enjoyed big scoring advantages from both the 3-point stripe and the free throw line. The Lakers were 27-for-33 from the line for the game, compared to 16-for-24 for Hillsdale. Grand Valley State hit six 3-pointers in the game, with five coming in the game's first 22 minutes.

Combining free throws and 3-pointers, Grand Valley State outscored Hillsdale 45-25 in the game.

Hillsdale now has two weeks off from its playing schedule, and will next take the court Saturday, Jan. 3 at the University of Findlay.

To view the box score from the game, click on the link below.

Box score