February 13, 2010 - The Hillsdale College men's basketball team has been turning losses from earlier in the season into wins. Saturday's game against Northwood University was a perfect example.

In the first meeting of the season between the teams, Northwood beat Hillsdale on a 3-point bank shot at the buzzer. Coming off a buzzer-beating win of its own Thursday, the Chargers were able to stop the Timberwolves on a possession in the final seconds to get away with a 72-70 win at Jesse Philips Arena.

Hillsdale, winners of nine of its past 11 games, is now 10-12 overall and 10-8 in the GLIAC. The team maintained sole possession of second place in the GLIAC South Division with the win, and is still in position to possibly host a first-round GLIAC Tournament game on March 2.

This game was emblematic of Hillsdale's improvement throughout the season in that it made shots and got defensive stops at the most important times throughout a copmpetitive and well-played game by both teams.

Defense has also been a key to the Chargers' surge, and that was also apparent in the final 90 seconds of Saturday's win. Hillsdale shutout Northwood over the game's final 1:46 to close out the win.

The Timberwolves never led in the contest, but tied the game at that 1:46 mark on a free throw shot by Booker Stoudmire. He missed the second shot, leaving the game knotted at 70-70.

Chargers ophomore Brad Guinane threaded a beautiful pass through traffic to freshman center Nick Washburn, who finished off the play with a layup to put the Chargers back in front, 72-70, with 1:26 left to play. Neither team would be able to scre the rest of the way.

Northwood had possession of the ball with six seconds left, but had the full length of the court to run its play. Guard Dorien Pierce dribbled through traffic, but was stripped of the ball by Nick Meinert, forcing a nearly half-court shot attempt by the Timberwolves. The ball bounced hard off the rim, giving the Chargers the ability to draw a sigh of relief.

Hillsdale led by as many as 15 points early in the second half, but Northwood's outside shooting and athleticism helped it chip away at that lead throughout the final 15 minutes.

Four of Hillsdale's five starters scored in double figures during a very balanced performance offensively. Guinane delivered 18 points and eight rebounds, a strong effort to follow up his season-high 21 scored in a win at Wayne State Thursday.

Sophomore Brent Eaton contributed 17 points and five rebounds, and nailed three 3-point baskets. Junior Nick Meinert had a strong game off the bench, making both of his shots while scoring seven points and grabbing five rebounds in 25 minutes of action. His perimeter defense was important for the Chargers' ability to hold the lead through the second half.

Luke Laser added 11, while Washburn scored 10 for Hillsdale.


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

Chargers 72, Northwood 70