Box score


January 6, 2011 – It had been 18 days since the Hillsdale College men’s basketball team had played in a game. But the Charges were able to shake off enough rust, and make enough plays when they counted, to remain undefeated on the season.

Hillsdale, ranked sixth in the nation in Division II, improved to 12-0 on the season with a 72-68 victory over Ohio Dominican University Thursday night in Columbus. The Chargers remain in first place in the GLIAC South Division with a 6-0 conference mark. The Chargers return to Ohio Saturday afternoon, for a 1:00 contest at Tiffin University.

It certainly wasn’t easy for the Chargers, who trailed by 10 points in the first half, then held a nine-point second half lead, only to trail as late as three minutes left in the second half. But a key part to the team’s 12-0 start to the season has been its ability to make big plays in the most crucial situations, and Thursday’s contest in the heart of Buckeye country was no different.

The game was tied 65-65 with 2:22 left when junior Brent Eaton nailed a 3-point shot from the corner to give the Chargers the lead for good. On the previous possession, junior point guard Tyler Gerber made his only field goal of the game, a layup, that extended Hillsdale’s lead from one to three points. ODU was on fire from beyond the 3-point arc, and made one to tie the game at 65-all before Eaton’s dagger put Hillsdale ahead for good.

The Panthers went 9-for-20 in 3-point attempts in the game, with six of those coming in the first half. ODU shot 75 percent in threes in the game’s opening 20 minutes en route to building a 40-36 halftime lead on the Chargers. But Hillsdale’s perimeter defense picked up its intensity in the second half, and forced the Panthers to miss nine of their 12 shots from downtown in the second half.

For its part, Hillsdale equaled Ohio Dominican’s marksmanship from 3-point land, matching the home team’s 3-point percentage at 45 (10-for-22). In addition, Hillsdale outrebounded the Panthers 40-33, and were plus-eight in second-chance points.

Sophomore center Nick Washburn (pictured) helped the team hang in with the Panthers in the first half, scoring 13 of his team-high 15 in the first 20 minutes. The Chargers appeared to make an effort to feed the ball down low to their big man, and he delivered with a strong performance.

Eaton and Brad Guinane also cracked double figures for Hillsdale, scoring 14 points apiece. Eaton found the touch from 3-point land, going 4-for-7 on those shots in the game.

After the Panthers went into halftime with a 40-36 lead, the Chargers responded forcefully in the second half, going on a 19-6 run in the first seven minutes of the half to take a 55-46 lead, its biggest of the game. But ODU wouldn’t roll over, and replied with a 14-2 run that tightened the contest, one that would stay close until the final buzzer.

Hillsdale now stands just one win away from tying its best start in program history, which was established by the 2001-02 team, who started 13-0.