Finally! Charger men's basketball team stops losing streak with three-point win over Wildcats
January 17, 2009 - Just like the previous three games, Saturday's men's basketball game between Hillsdale College and Northern Michigan University was close with two minutes left in regulation.
Unlike the previous three games, the Chargers found a way to win, ending a frustrating losing streak.
Senior Keith MacKenzie's 3-point shot from the left corner with 1:49 remaining in the game proved to be the difference-making shot as the Chargers edged the Wildcats 64-61 Saturday afternoon at Jesse Philips Arena. Hillsdale is now 6-8 overall and 4-6 in the GLIAC with the win, ending a seven-game losing streak. Hillsdale will be back on the road next week, playing at Ashland Thursday and Tiffin Saturday.
A layup by NMU's Tyler Kazmierkoski, off an offensive rebound, gave the Wildcats a 57-55 lead with 2:55 left in the contest.
Hillsdale's last three games, all losses to Northwood, Wayne State and Michigan Tech, were all decided in one manner or another in the game's final two minutes. But where the Chargers came up empty earlier, they dug down and found a way to earn a victory before the home crowd.
The Chargers scored six straight points between the 1:00 and 2:00 marks, thanks to MacKenzie's 3-pointer, and a three-point play converted by senior Travis Worst. That swing put Hillsdale ahead by four points with less than a minute to play in the game. Stingy team defense prevented the Wildcats from generating good looks at the basket while the game was in doubt.
MacKenzie calmly stepped to the line to make three out of four free throw attempts in the game's last eight seconds to keep Hillsdale in the lead.
MacKenzie also hit a pair of 3-pointers to help the Chargers jump out to a big early lead voer the visitors. He finished the game with 16 points, five rebounds and two assists, leading the team in scoring.
Hillsdale enjoyed a 42-35 edge on the boards and had nine steals in the game, compared to five for Northern Michigan.
Junior Luke Laser added 13 points for Hillsdale, while senior center Tony Gugino had 12 points, 11 rebounds and two blocked shots for the Chargers.
Click on the link below to view the box score from Saturday's game.
Box score
Unlike the previous three games, the Chargers found a way to win, ending a frustrating losing streak.
Senior Keith MacKenzie's 3-point shot from the left corner with 1:49 remaining in the game proved to be the difference-making shot as the Chargers edged the Wildcats 64-61 Saturday afternoon at Jesse Philips Arena. Hillsdale is now 6-8 overall and 4-6 in the GLIAC with the win, ending a seven-game losing streak. Hillsdale will be back on the road next week, playing at Ashland Thursday and Tiffin Saturday.
A layup by NMU's Tyler Kazmierkoski, off an offensive rebound, gave the Wildcats a 57-55 lead with 2:55 left in the contest.
Hillsdale's last three games, all losses to Northwood, Wayne State and Michigan Tech, were all decided in one manner or another in the game's final two minutes. But where the Chargers came up empty earlier, they dug down and found a way to earn a victory before the home crowd.The Chargers scored six straight points between the 1:00 and 2:00 marks, thanks to MacKenzie's 3-pointer, and a three-point play converted by senior Travis Worst. That swing put Hillsdale ahead by four points with less than a minute to play in the game. Stingy team defense prevented the Wildcats from generating good looks at the basket while the game was in doubt.
MacKenzie calmly stepped to the line to make three out of four free throw attempts in the game's last eight seconds to keep Hillsdale in the lead.
MacKenzie also hit a pair of 3-pointers to help the Chargers jump out to a big early lead voer the visitors. He finished the game with 16 points, five rebounds and two assists, leading the team in scoring.
Hillsdale enjoyed a 42-35 edge on the boards and had nine steals in the game, compared to five for Northern Michigan.
Junior Luke Laser added 13 points for Hillsdale, while senior center Tony Gugino had 12 points, 11 rebounds and two blocked shots for the Chargers.
Click on the link below to view the box score from Saturday's game.
Box score
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