ALTOONA, Pa.  – The Hilbert College women's basketball team wrapped up their 2015-16 campaign with a 71-57 win over Penn State Altoona. The Hawks (11-14, 7-11 AMCC) played unselfishly posting a season-high 27 assists.
 
Today's victory tied the program's All Time Division III wins in a season (11) dating back to the 2003-04 season.
 
"We were aiming higher with the goal of making a post-season appearance but when I step back and look at what this team did this season, I am proud," said first-year head coach Melissa Graham.  "I'm glad the seniors had this kind of experience before they graduated. It's a plus to end with a win, but the team and our coaching staff - none of us are satisfied with where we are at and we are ready to get to work for next year."
 
Sophomore Shannon Rogers continued to lead the Hawks with her strong play as she finished with her 19th double-double of the season with 18 points and 11 boards. Freshman Katelyn Proy pulled down 14 boards, seven on the offensive end, to go along with her 12 points and 7 blocks.
 
In her final game in the royal and white, senior Wyann Jackson had her way in the paint, making five of seven shots, while pulling down four boards in only 11 minutes of play.
 
Sophomore Kelsi Ebert continued her streak of strong play, as she finished with 15 points on 7-of-9 shooting. Ebert also grabbed eight boards and handed out five assists.
 
Sophomore Samantha Heiler had a career-high nine assists, most of delivered off crafty moves in transition which drew defenders before she found her teammates at the rim.
 
The Hawks got off to a sluggish start, turning the ball over seven times in the first ten minutes of play. Despite the forced passes and lazy defense, Shannon Rogers came out with a quick start, pacing Hilbert to a 15-15 at the end of the first.
 
The Hawks exploded offensively in the second quarter, outscoring Altoona 20-5.  Six different players tickled the twine to combine for the big offensive quarter with no one striking for more than five points.
 
Heiler hit her second long-ball early in the third session to stretch the visitor's lead to 16 (38-22) which the Hawks continued to hold at the end of that 10-minute period. 

The final quarter was all Hawks.  Jackson netted a few buckets in the paint, Proy scored close to the hoop and Ebert finished shots on the fast break. 
 
After struggling through injuries all season, Paige Chatt and Maria Faso drew almost two-minutes of action.  Faso scored her first Hilbert points at the conclusion of her first year in royal and white.
 
Hilbert won the battle of the boards, grabbing 53 caroms and shot 46.5% from the floor while limiting Altoona to only 33 boards and 29% shooting.
 
Altoona bested the Hawks at the foul line making 21-of-27 attempts as Hilbert made just 1-of-3 shots.
 
With the loss of two seniors (Wyann Jackson and Paige Chatt), the Hawks return three juniors and a roster of sophomores and freshman for 2016-17.  Coach Graham and her staff are ready to roll and have higher expectations for the Hawks next winter.

#1 La Roche College and #2 Behrend earned byes in the AMCC play-offs and head directly to the final four weekend which will be hosted by the Redhawks for their 6th straight post-season.

#3 Pitt-Bradford will host #6 Pitt-Greensburg on February 24 and the site for the  #4 vs #5 game between D'Youville and Mount Aloysius is still to be announced.