January 2, 2008 - The kazoos have been put away and the Christmas wrapping has been thrown out, now it's time to get back to work for the Hillsdale College men's and women's basketball teams after a nice break during the holidays.

The GLIAC schedule resumes this week, as the Chargers travel to Ashland University for a Thursday night doubleheader, followed by Saturday afternoon games at Findlay's Croy Gymnasium. The Thursday games start at 5:30 p.m. (women) and 7:30 p.m. (men). Saturday's games tip off at 1 p.m. (women) and 3 p.m. (men).

Hillsdale's men's team is off to a 7-4 start under first-year head coach John Tharp. After a 1-2 start to the season, the Chargers have won six of their past eight games, and feature the GLIAC's highest-scoring offense. Hillsdale is averaging 84 points per game, and hasn't scored fewer than 71 points in any game this season.

Leading that offensive attack is the GLIAC's top scoring duo in Tony Gugino (19.2 points per game) and Tim Homan (17.4 points per game). They rank first and fourth respectively, in scoring in the conference, and each have diverse offensive games that allow them to score from almost any spot on the floor.

As a team, the Chargers have shot 50 percent or better from the floor in seven of the their 11 games this season, and have made 37 more 3-point field goals than their opponents.

That offense will have to share the stage with two more prolific offensive teams in Ashland and Findlay this weekend. These teams feature the top three assist-men in the conference, starting with Hillsdale's Keith MacKenzie. A junior guard, MacKenzie leads the GLIAC with five assists per game. Right behind him are Ashland's Brett Wackerly and Findlay's Marcus Parker, who rank 2-3 in assists per game in the conference.

The trio of teams also rank in the top four in the GLIAC in scoring and are the top three teams overall in 3-pointers made (1. Hillsdale, 2. Findlay 3. Ashland).

Ashland handed Hillsdale it's only GLIAC loss of the season, 95-80, in Hillsdale back on Dec. 6. In that game, the Eagles' Brett Bartlett nailed six 3-pointers and scored a game-high 32 points. Since that game, Hillsdale is 4-1, with its only loss coming in overtime at Lewis Dec. 21.

Findlay has been the dominant team of the GLIAC South Division in recent years, and despite continual losses of quality players to graduation, the Oilers keep reloading with fresh talent. Parker was the conference freshman of the year last year and is one of the strongest and most physical point guards in the GLIAC. Findlay entered the season ranked in the top five in the nation, but is 1-2 in GLIAC play this season. The Oilers are still ranked 16th in the country, despite occupying fifth place in the GLIAC South Division early this season.

Findlay leads the GLIAC in scoring margin, field goal percentage, 3-point field goal percentage and steals so far this season. The Oilers have beaten the Chargers in 31 of the past 36 meetings between the schools.

On the women's side, the Chargers re-enter conference play with a 9-2 overall record and 2-1 in the GLIAC. The team has been off since its trip to San Antonio Dec. 19-20. Hillsdale finished that trip on a strong note in a 69-51 win over Texas A&M International that saw every player on the roster contribute strongly to the win.

Junior forward Katie Cezat has been a dominant force for the Chargers through the team's first 11 games. Playing in a starting role for the first time in her careerr, Cezat currently ranks in the top six in six offensive categories in the conference. She leads all players in rebounding and is tied for first in defensive rebounds. her 19 points per game rank second in the conference, and she's fourth in blocked shots.

In the team's win over TAMI, Cezat encountered foul trouble early in the game, forcing other players to step up with big plays, which they did. Sophomore guard Brooke Knight played all 40 minutes, and had career-highs in steals (six) and assists (nine). Junior Claire Aubrey scored a career-high 12 points, while freshman guard Kara McCormick drained four 3-point field goals.

For three years, Ashland had its way with Hillsdale, sweeping the Chargers in 2003-04, 2004-05 and 2005-06. But last year, Hillsdale turned the tables on the Eagles, winning both meetings. The Chargers defeated Ashland 64-46 back on Dec. 6, and look for their second straight season sweep of their rivals Thursday. Ashland's Lynsey Warren, a star setter on the school's volleyball team, has been effective in her basketball career vs. the Chargers. In the 2005-06 season, Warren sparked the Eagles to a 58-55 win over Hillsdale thanks to a 15-point, 15-rebound performance.

The Chargers have swept Findlay in each of the past three seasons, but have yet to play the improved Oilers in 2007-08 season. Findlay has shown improvement under second-year coach Kate Cummings, improvement that was apparent in Feb. 2007, when Findlay upset then-defending national champion Grand Valley State University.

The Oilers are off to a 6-4 start to the season and are the number-one defensive rebounding team in the GLIAC. Findlay also leads the GLIAC in scoring differential and field goal percentage. The Chargers feature the conference's number one field goal defense and top scoring defense.

Another improved part of Hillsdale's game this season is on the boards. In 2006-07, Hillsdale had 40 or more rebounds as a team just nine times in 28 games. This season, the Chargers have grabbed 40 or more rebounds in six of the team's first 11 games. Hillsdale has 10 or more offensive rebounds in seven games this season, and is 6-1 in said games. Topping off the team's rebounding prowess, Hillsdale's 24 offensive rebounds vs. TAMI are the most the team has had in a game since Nov. 18, 2004, when it had 29 against U-M Dearborn.

Click on the links below for information on Ashland's and Findlay's two basketball programs, as well as live stats and radio broadcast information.



Ashland men's basketball

Ashland men's basketball

Findlay men's basketball

Findlay women's basketball