December 15, 2007 - The season-opening eight-game winning streak by the Hillsdale College women's basketball team came to a snowy end Saturday night in Midland.

The Northwood University Timberwolves defeated the Chargers for the fourth time in five years, 65-53 at the Bennett Center at Northwood Saturday night. Hillsdale falls to 8-1 overall and 2-1 in the GLIAC with the loss, while the improved Timberwolves move to 6-2 and 3-1 in the GLIAC.

The Chargers have lost to Northwood three straight times to Northwood in Midland. Last year, Hillsdale snapped a three-year losing streak to Northwood in a contest at Hillsdale.

The key to the Timberwolves' win was a strength of that team this season, being an ability to get to the free throw line. Northwood was 28-for-33 from the charity stripe in the game, while the Chargers shot just 10 free throws in the game, making six. Northwood's 28-6 advantage from the free throw line was easily the difference in the game.

The Chargers trailed 29-25 at halftime, but took control of the game in the second half.

A 3-pointer by sophomore Brooke Knight gave the Chargers a 44-39 lead, but Northwood counterpunched quickly. The Timberwolves went on a 12-0 run to take the lead for good, around the midway point of the second half.

Junior Katie Cezat led Hillsdale with 24 points and eight rebounds. Knight and senior Julie Slot each scored nine points. Northwood was led by Megan Starnes' 19 points. She was also 11-for-11 from the free throw line.

Hillsdale is next in action Wednesday against St. Mary's (Texas) in San Antonio, for a 7:30 p.m. start. Thursday, the team wraps up its two-day trip to Texas with a 5:30 p.m. game against Texas A&M International.

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


Box score