Box score

January 15, 2011 – Anytime a basketball team loses a game by two points, it’s frustrating. But had to be even more so for the Hillsdale College women’s basketball team Saturday afternoon.

After leading by nine at halftime, and rallying back from a nine-point deficit in the second half, the Chargers fell agonizingly short of beating #13 Grand Valley State University, in a 67-65 Lakers’ win at Jesse Philips Arena. Hillsdale is now 10-4 overall and 5-4 in the GLIAC after the loss.

Hillsdale played a terrific first half, holding the Lakers to 27 percent shooting, while holding a 29-20 lead. But the Lakers put a 9-0 run on the Chargers in the first 2:05 of the second half, setting the tone for a tightly played second half between these two bitter rivals.

Hillsdale responded with a 10-3 run to regain a seven point lead with 12:38 left in the game. Four different players scored in that run for the Chargers. But from that point, Grand Valley State went on a 21-6 run over the next seven minutes to pull out to an eight-point lead. Laker guard Jasmine Padin was a spark in that run, making two straight long 3-point field goals to help shift momentum into Grand Valley State’s favor.

Despite the big deficit and late point in the game, the Chargers stormed back with their characteristic grit. Facing a nine-point deficit with 3:36 left to play, Hillsdale came back thanks to a pair of short jumpers by Chelsea Harrison and 3-point bombs from Lea Jones and Katie Bildner. The Lakers made six straight free throws down the stretch, but missed their final two with five seconds left in the game, leaving the door open for a miracle Chargers’ comeback. But a long 3-point attempt by freshman Marissa DeMott was ruled late by the officials, and bounced off the rim, sealing the win for Grand Valley State.

It was the first time the Lakers have won a game in Hillsdale since February 2006. A big difference in the game came via Grand Valley’s 3-point shooting by half. The Lakers missed nine of their 10 attempts from beyond the arc in the first half, but came back to go 4-for-6 from that part of the floor in the second half. GVSU shot 60 percent from the field (15-for-25) in the second half, compared to 43 percent for Hillsdale. The Lakers outrebounded the Chargers 40-27 in the game.

Bildner put together a big-time game for the Chargers, scoring a career-high 17 points, making three 3-point shots. She also grabbed four rebounds in 38 minutes on the court.

Laura Barczak had 14 points, six rebounds and three blocked shots for Hillsdale, while Harrison scored 14. Jones delivered 10 points in 13 minutes off the bench.

Hillsdale will play at NAIA Cedarville (Ohio) Tuesday before hosting GLIAC South Division leader Findlay at 8 p.m. Thursday.