December 24, 2008 - After traveling across the Pacific Ocean, the Hillsdale College men's basketball team showed no ill effects from the travel in taking a first-half lead over #6 BYU-Hawaii Tuesday night. But the lead didn't last.

Hillsdale led by as many as seven points in the first half, but ended up losing its thrid straight to a ranked team, 80-63, in Laie, Hawaii. The Chargers will play Hawaii-Pacific Friday night in the second game of its two-game trip to the islands.

A basket by sophomore guard Nick Meinert gave Hillsdale a 25-18 lead with 7:58 left in the first half. The Chargers were able to maintain the lead through much of the first half, falling behind for good with two minutes to go in the half.

BYU-Hawaii held a 36-30 lead at halftime, and outscored Hillsdale by 11 in the second half. It was the third straight game the Chargers have played against a ranked opponent, and the team is in the middle of a four-out-of-five stretch against such teams, including two games against top-ranked Findlay in this stretch.

One of the positives coming out of Tuesday's game was a breakout performance by freshman guard Tyler Gerber. He scored a career-high 17 points, making 7-of-10 shots from the field. He also set a career mark with five assists to lead the team. Just one of his shots came from 3-point terrotiry. Gerber's play has steadily improved throughout this first part of the season, as he's added quickness and hustle to the team's backcourt rotation.

Junior forward Luke Laser added 14 for Hillsdale, going 6-for-8 from the field. Senior guard Keith MacKenzie scored nine for the Chargers.

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

Box score