HAMBURG, N.Y. – Five different players reached double-digit points and the Hilbert College men's basketball team raced out of the gate to a 102-75 season opening victory over Geneva College this afternoon.

Senior Sean Weisansal had another all-around impressive performance scoring 21 points (8-12 from floor) 100% accuracy at the charity stripe while assisting three scores, stealing six passes (which he converted into coast-to-coast layups) and blocking two shots.

Senior Jerame Owens and junior Nehemiah Kornegay each tallied 14 points, but Owens controlled the board with 10 total.  Two sophomores, Malique McCoy and David Arlaud posted 13 points and grabbed five rebounds each to help lift the Hawks to their win.

Hilbert shot 48.6% from the floor but Geneva was just a tad better, hitting 49.1%.  The Hawks forced 27 Golden Tornado turnovers which turned into more possessions and shots for the hosts.  Hilbert also held a 15-board rebounding advantage and doubled them up on the offensive glass (15-7). 

Ten different guys found their way to the score sheet today.  Five guys (Kornegay, Owens, Weisansal, Arlaud and Ryan Bradt) shot at or better than 50% from the floor.  And the final marker was the 10-additional made free throws credited to the hosts.

Both teams opened the game in a full court press which gave Hilbert a little trouble early.  After they calmed down, Hilbert jumped ahead 15-13 at 13:09 after Weisansal stole the ball at half court and raced for a lay-in which forced a time out by the black and gold.

Just seven minutes later, Hilbert called a timeout and returned to the floor pumped.  The Hawks went on a 7-0 run building a 10-point advantage (34-24) after Owen's steal led to an Arlaud layup followed by back-to-back Weisansal steal and scores in the paint.

Nehemiah Kornegay sank both shots with four seconds remaining in the first half to give Hilbert a 20-point lead before the break.

Hilbert stretched their lead to 26 points but cooled on offensive which allowed the Golden Tornados to cut the score to 72-53 at 12:38. 

But when David Arlaud dunked the ball at 7:03, the Hawks were back in full swing and extended their offense to a 93-62 advantage with almost five minutes remaining.

Hilbert returns to action this Tuesday, when they travel to Houghton College with the women's team for another non-conference match up.  The men's game is at 6pm with the women to follow at 8pm.