Men's Basketball Defeats Hillsdale 60-55

The Northwood University men's basketball team earned a hard-fought 60-55 win over Hillsdale Thursday night (December 5).

The game was the GLIAC opener for both teams. Northwood improves to 5-2 overall, 1-0 in the GLIAC. Hillsdale falls to 2-1 overall, 0-1 in the GLIAC.

The Chargers took a 25-20 lead at halftime after a defensive-minded opening half. Both teams finished the half shooting 30.8 percent from the floor after each connecting on eight of 26 attempts. Hillsdale earned the lead by making one more 3-pointer (3-2) and four more free throws (6-2).

Northwood's offense performed at a much higher level after the break, scoring 40 points while going 13-27 from the floor (48.1 percent) and 13-15 from the foul line (86.7 percent).  After trailing the majority of the game, the Timberwolves took the lead at 48-46 with five minutes remaining.  NU led 56-55 in the final minute, but a put-back by Dylan Langkabel (Morristown, Ind.) put the Timberwolves up three. The Timberwolves then got a stop on defense to clinch the win.

For the game, Northwood finished at 39.6 percent from the floor (21-53) and 83.3 percent from the foul line (15-18).  Hillsdale ended the game at 36.4 percent (20-55) overall and 88.9 percent from the foul line (8-9).

The balanced Northwood attack featured four players in double figures. Will Bowles (East Detroit, Mich./Southlake) led the way with 12 points and nine rebounds. Darvin Ham (Saginaw, Mich./Bridgeport) finished with 11 points and six rebounds, while Khalid King (Columbus, Ohio/North Carolina A&T) added 11 points and seven rebounds.  Langkabel added 10 points.

Northwood will host No. 8 Findlay Saturday (December 7). Game time is set for 3 p.m.