Saturday, Kellogg Community College arrived at Charger Arena boasting a 15-3 record, including a perfect 5-0 record in the MCCAA Western Division. The Bruins have been running through opponents, but the Chargers came out and played with great effort, urgency, and heart.

Marian University Ancilla began the game getting stop after stop, frustrating the Bruins. The Chargers led 12-6, prompting a timeout. Kellogg fired back, however, scoring the final 11 points of the quarter to lead 17-12 after 1. The second quarter saw more intensity, as both teams were locked in defensively. Points were tough to come by, but the Chargers managed to keep it close, trailing by just two possessions at 32-26 heading into the locker room.

When the third quarter began, it looked as though fatigue had finally caught up with the Chargers, and they trailed by as many as 10 points. But a strong run midway through the period cut the deficit to just 40-39. From that point, the fatigue monster did finally set in, and MUAC turned it over on three consecutive possessions, while Kellogg scored in transition each time. The Bruins led, 48-39, after 30 minutes.

The fourth quarter was again tough on the Chargers, as they eventually saw a 20-point uphill climb, but they didn't quit, even cutting it to 14 or 15 points on multiple occasions, including a shot with 2 seconds left that glanced off the rim that could have given them 49 points for the game. However, in the end, the Bruins proved their might, finishing the first half of the conference season with a 6-0 record.

MUAC got strong contributions across the board, but probably none more so than that of Sophomore Samaria Freeman. The 5-7 wing defended the NJCAA Division-II nation's leading scorer and held her to just 4 points on 1-6 shooting. She got great help from the team behind her, but Freeman was great beating screens and keeping her out of the lane. Charger Freshman Nasiya Gause was equally good offensively, scoring 19 points, handing out 4 assists, and pulling down 6 rebounds. Fellow Freshman Bella Mahan was big-time on the boards, grabbing 11 caroms in the contest. Add that to her 17 points, including her 5 made 3-pointers, and she posted her first career double-double.

Kellogg placed three players in double figures, with point guard Corrin Replogle scoring 23 points, while adding 7 assists and 8 rebounds to her tally. Mary Whitmore posted a double-double of her own with 11 points and 13 rebounds, 5 of which were offensive, while Cheria Richardson scored 11 points off the bench. Richardson also dished out 3 assists.

The Chargers are back in action this Wednesday as they began the second half of their conference season. They host Southwestern Michigan at Charger Arena at 5:30 p.m. ET, with the men's game to follow. Please come out and support the Chargers!!