ALTOONA, Pa. – The Hilbert College men's basketball team claimed an 83-74 victory over Penn State Altoona today and improved to 21-4 overall as they lead the Allegheny Mountain Collegiate Conference with a 15-3 league record.
With the win, the Hawks earned their second AMCC regular-season title in four years, but this becomes their first outright championship after sharing the title in 2012-13.
Sean Weisansal picked up 10 points at the foul line to lead the Hawks with 22 markers. He finished a complete game adding six assists and six steals.
As Weisansal didn't connect from downtown, the Hawks didn't need his touch as
Jalen Smith,
Kirkland Ottey and
Malique McCoy were on target. Smith went 4-for-8 posting three 3's, Ottey knocked down all three of his shots from the floor, twice hitting beyond the arc and McCoy made timely shots, striking 2-for-3 deep.
Ottey also put in five freebies for 13 points and Smith made a pair to match with 13 points.
Ryan Bradt gave another strong performance hitting 80% from the floor as he scored four buckets in the paint and made both free throws to reach double-digits with 10 points.
Jerame Owens and
Xavier Major combined for 15 points making 7-of-13 shots, and Owens led all players with 12 rebounds.
The Hawks were focused and on fire the first half. They closed the 20-minute period hitting 70% of their shots (17-24), went 5-for-6 deep and made all three free throws.
They did not take care of the ball, though, as they were whistled for 15 turnovers.
After intermission, which Hilbert led 42-36, the Hawks cooled from the floor and shot a respectable 47.7% while scoring 41 second-half points.
Because the Hawks shot so well, there were few rebound opportunities. Hilbert was credited with seven offensive and Altoona grabbed 18 defensive boards to balance the stat sheet.
Hilbert led the entire second half, never allowing Altoona closer than three points (48-45 at 15:54). Bradt scored six points to surge the Hawks to a 60-49 lead at 12:39 and they held on from there for the win.
The Hawks have a full week off from competition before they step back on the court at the Hafner Recreation Center as the #1 seed in the 2016 AMCC play-offs. Penn State Behrend will joind Hilbert on Saturday as the number two seeded team, as they both earned First Round byes.
On Wednesday, February 24th, #3 Pitt-Greensburg will host #6 Medaille and #4 La Roche will host #5 Pitt-Bradford. The winners of the First Round games will travel to Hamburg to square-off against either Hilbert or Behrend on Saturday, February 27 (1 and 3:30pm) and the Championship game will be played on Sunday, 28th at 1pm.
