January 20, 2008 - Close games have tended to go in favor of the Hillsdale College men's basketball team this season. Unfortunately for the Chargers, that was not the case at Northern Michigan University Sunday afternoon.

The Chargers ran out of time in a comeback bid against NMU, losing to the host Wildcats 67-66. Hillsdale, now ready for a five-game homestand, is 10-6 on the season and 5-3 in the GLIAC. NMU is 4-13 and 4-5.

A 3-point field goal by junior Keith MacKenzie at the buzzer only brought the Chargers to a one-point deficit. The Wildcats went 8-for-10 from the free throw line in the final two minutes of the game, ensuring the Chargers couldn't pull off the come-from-behind win.

Playing on the road for the second time in 24 hours, Hillsdale trailed for the final 11:21 of the game, getting behind by as many as eight points in the second half.

The Chargers started the game strong, jumping ahead 18-9 in the first 10 minutes of the game. But the Wildcats whittled the lead down throughout the first half and went into halftime with a 30-28 edge.

The Chargers were held to their second-lowest scoring game of the season (66 points) and shot 37 percent from the field in the game. The Chargers committed just 10 turnovers, but were outrebounded 45-40, and NMU shot 81 percent from the free throw line in the game, giving it the slimmest of victories.

Charger junior Tony Gugino led Hillsdale with 23 points and 13 rebounds. Senior Tim Homan added 22 points and eight rebounds, draining four baskets from 3-point land.

NMU's Jake Suardini had a tremendous game, getting 32 points, 10 rebounds and three assists in 39 minutes. He was 11-for-13 from the charity stripe.

Hillsdale will play its next five games in the friendly confines of Jesse Philips Arena, with the first team on the docket Mercyhurst College for an 8 p.m. tipoff Thursday night.

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