All season long, the Charger men's basketball team has been a tough team for opponents to play against. Hillsdale has typically held teams to lower-than-average shooting percentages and points scored.
That formula worked well Thursday night.
Hillsdale went into Christmas Break on a winning note thanks to a 70-52 win over Northern Michigan University in Marquette. The team stands at 7-5 on the season and will resume play at home on Saturday, January 4.
The Chargers limited the Wildcats to fewer than 30 points in both halves and held NMU to 31 percent field goal shooting in the game. Hillsdale played a tough, disciplined game on the defensive end of the floor, and found ideal balance offensively.
Four different players scored 8 or more points in the victory, exactly the kind of balance coach John Tharp wants out of his motion offense. The team had 16 assists on 25 made field goals and turned the ball over just seven times. The Chargers shot 46 percent from the floor, 50 percent on 3-pointers (10-for-20) and missed just one time from the free throw line.
It all adds up to the ideal road victory.
Junior Davis Larson scored 11 of his team-high 15 points in the first half, making three 3-point field goals while picking up 5 rebounds.
Freshman Patrick Cartier matched Larson's 15-point output, going 6-for-8 from the field in another efficient performance. Cartier led the team with 7 rebounds.
Junior Austen Yarian was active throughout the game, finishing with 11 points. Freshman guard Cole Nau came off the bench to score 8, making a pair of 3-point shots. Forward Tavon Brown contributed 6 points and 5 rebounds in 20 minutes off the bench.
Freshman guard Jack Gohlke was a nice spark for the Chargers in the first half, scoring 6 points to help the team open up a double-digit lead before intermission.
PHOTO: MaryKate Drews