January 8, 2009 – The Bennett Center at Northwood University has traditionally been a place where the Hillsdale College women’s basketball team has struggled to win. Although it took an extra five minutes Thursday night, the Chargers got that elusive win.

A gritty 45-minute effort helped Hillsdale to an 80-76 overtime win over the Northwood Timberwolves in Midland. The No. 7-ranked Chargers are now 11-1 overall and 6-1 in the GLIAC. The win also gives Hillsdale sole possession of first place in the South Division.

Hillsdale’s last win at Northwood came on Feb. 19, 2003, also in overtime, 91-89. In that game, Hillsdale’s All-American guard, Stephanie Heid, hit a half-court shot to win that game. The last overtime win by the Chargers came in the 2007 GLIAC Tournament Semifinals, 90-87, over Ferris State in Erie, Pa.

Hillsdale led throughout regulation, and by as many as 14 points in the second half. But the talented Timberwolves turned the game into a defensive struggle, and they did a good job of chipping away at Hillsdale’s lead. However, the game was never tied until three seconds were left in regulation, when Northwood’s Sarah Glowacki made a coast-to-coast layup to tie the game at 70-70.

The Timberwolves took the first lead of overtime on two Glowacki free throws, but it was the Chargers who took control from there.

Freshman Chelsea Harrison tossed in a left-handed layup, and junior Janay Miller made a free throw on the team’s next possession to give Hillsdale the lead for good. Harrison flipped in another nifty layup after Miller’s free throw to give Hillsdale a 75-72 lead.

Miller played perhaps the best all-around game of her career, recording 18 points, 10 rebounds and four assists. She played extremely tough on the boards at both ends of the court, taking a lot of physical punishment in her effort to keep loose balls alive for the Chargers. Five of her rebounds came on the offensive end. Miller also made a driving layup with eight seconds left in regulation to give Hillsdale a 70-68 lead.

Senior Katie Cezat played a steady and strong game for the Chargers, finishing with 28 points, 17 rebounds, six blocked shots and three assists, while playing all 45 minutes of the contest. Her six blocks now give her the all-time single-season record for blocked shots in Charger women’s basketball history. She set that record in 2007-08 with 37. She now has 43 blocked shots this season.

Cezat also hit her first career 3-point basket in the game.

Harrison and fellow freshman Katie Bildner played major minutes, and did an excellent job with their on-the-ball defense in a high-pressure road environment. Harrison had 10 points, three rebounds and two steals, while committing just two turnovers in 27 minutes of action. Harrison had to become the team’s primary ballhandler after junior guard Brooke Knight fouled out with 6:04 left in regulation.

Bildner also played excellent perimeter defense on Northwood’s talented guards in 21 minutes on the court. Another player who played terrific defense for Hillsdale was senior Claire Aubrey. Her primary assignment was Northwood’s prolific scorer, Megan Starnes. Starnes finished the game with 15 points on 6-for-17 shooting from the field.

A three-point play by Knight gave Hillsdale a 48-35 lead early in the second half. But the Timberwolves responded with an 11-0 run to tighten the game, setting the tone for a tense and exciting finish to the ballgame.

The Chargers played an extremely balanced first half in building a 43-31 lead. Seven different players scored points, and everyone who played also grabbed at least one rebound.

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

Box score