(NORTH CANTON, Ohio) – Kelsey Funderburgh (5-7, Jr., North Lewisburg, OH/Triad) exploded for 32 points as she helped Walsh to its first victory over Hillsdale by a score of 96-89 Friday evening. It is the Cavaliers' third-straight win as they improve to 8-3 overall and 2-3 in the GLIAC. The Chargers lost for just the second time this season and are now 7-2 overall and 3-2 in the conference.

Walsh held the lead for a majority of the game and at times led by 10, but the game was close throughout as the lead switched 10 times during the game. Hillsdale took its first lead on a Megan Fogt jumper to put her team up 32-30 with 3:56 left in the first half and capped a 7-0 run. The Cavs answered and closed the half with a 10-4 run to take a 42-40 lead into the halftime break.

The back-and-forth action continued as both teams exchanged leads six times to start the second half. A 3-pointer by Allison Butler (5-5, Fr., Ft. Wayne, IN/Bishop Luers) gave the Cavs the lead for good as it put them up 54-52 with 15:18 left to go in the game. It sparked a 15-6 run to give Walsh its first double-digit lead.

Hillsdale cut the deficit down to 79-76 after a Brooke Borowski jumper with 4:33 left, but the Cavs responded with a Brooklyn Wooten (5-8, So., Grove City, OH/Central Crossing) basket and a pair of free throws by Holly Grober (5-11, Fr., Hermitage, PA/Hickory).

Wooten also scored in double-figures with 15 points as did Butler and Grober with 14 each.

Kayla Geffert led the Chargers with 19 points off the bench. Hillsdale standout Fogt recorded a double-double with 12 points and 15 rebounds. Hillsdale controlled the glass with a 42-33 advantage.

At times, it seemed like a 3-point contest was taking place as both teams combined for 21 treys with Hillsdale credited for 11 of them. Walsh had a slightly better percentage behind the arc as it was 10-of-21 for the game. Funderburgh made five of them as she was 10-of-16 overall from the field. She was also perfect from the charity stripe for seven points.

Overall, Walsh was excellent from the foul line as it scored 32 points on 35 attempts.

The Cavs are off tomorrow before returning to the hardwood against Saginaw Valley State University on Sunday. Tip-off is scheduled for 1 p.m. The game will be broadcast on Teamline.