February 23, 2008 - In a reversal of a result between the same two teams a year ago, the playoff-bound Hillsdale College men's basketball team lost to a team finishing its season with a win.

Wayne State University came back from a nine-point second half deficit to defeat the Chargers 80-73 Saturday afternoon in Detroit's Matthaei Center. Hillsdale is 14-13 on the season and 7-10 in the GLIAC, and will face Grand Valley State University in the first round of the 2008 GLIAC Men's Basketball Tournament on March 1.

One year ago, Hillsdale defeated Wayne State at home in the final game of the regular season, 88-83. The Chargers did not make the tournament, while Wayne State advanced to the tournament despite the loss on the road. The 180-degree reversal of that scenario took place Saturday.

Hillsdale led by four at halftime, and extended that lead to nine before seeing the Warriors get hot from the field and take over the contest.

Wayne State outscored Hillsdale 47-36 in the second half. The Warriors outscored the Chargers from the free throw line 17-4 in the second half, providing a key advantage to this hard-played contest by both teams.

Charger junior Tony Gugino played a terrific game, finishing with 26 points, 11 rebounds and three blocked shots. In two games vs. the Warriors this season, Gugino scored a total of 67 points.

Junior guard Keith MacKenzie scored 12 of his 18 points in the first six minutes of the second half. Junior Travis Worst played a gritty game, finishing with 13 points and a season-high eight rebounds.

The start time of Hillsdale's tournament game at Grand Valley is not yet known.

Click on the link below for the box score.

Box score