January 30, 2010 - What a way to wrap up a four-game homestand.

Playing with heart and character, and overcoming a five-point deficit in overtime, the Hillsdale College men's basketball team found a way to win its fifth straight game, 77-74, over the defending GLIAC North Division champions, Lake Superior State University.

The win, making the Chargers 6-1 in their past seven games, improves the team's record to 7-11 overall and 7-7 in the GLIAC. Hillsdale returns to the road for three straight, starting Thursday at Ferris State.

After getting off to a 1-10 start to the season, the Chargers have played much-improved basketball over the past three weeks, and have made a big move in the conference standings. The difficult start to the season have made the team's recent victories that much sweeter for the players and coaches.

But no wins over the recent streak had to be as sweet for the team as Saturday's win over a determined Laker team. LSSU made twice as many free throws as the Chargers, and was plus-nine in the rebound department. After a 3-pointer by Micah Hudson and a pair of free throws by Andrew Charlesworth, the Lakers were up by five points with three minutes left in overtime. Hillsdale would only allow LSSU just one more point the rest of the way.

Sophomore Tyler Gerber, who played an outstanding game, got momentum back on Hillsdale's side with an open 3-pointer to cut the lead to two with 1:42 left. He stole the ball on LSSU's next possession, was fouled, and hit both free throws to tie the game at 73 with 1:06 left.

The Lakers made one out of two free throws to get ahead by one. Hillsdale senior Luke Laser came up with another steal, and hit two clutch free throws to give the Chargers a 75-74 lead with 20 seconds left in the game.

LSSU's Kyle Hunt (21 points, 12 rebounds, four assists) then missed a 3-pointer, with Gerber grabbing the crucial defensive rebound. Junior Nick Meinert caught the subsequent inbounds pass, and in one motion, passed it off to Brent Eaton, who sealed the game with a layup at the buzzer.

Eaton set a new season-high in 3-pointers made with seven, leading the Chargers with 25 points in the victory. Gerber controlled the game at both ends of the court for long stretches, and turned in a fine performance with 16 points, four rebounds, five assists and six steals. Brad Guinane, Nick Washburn and Laser each scored nine for the Chargers.

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

Chargers 77, Lake Superior State 74 (OT)