HAMBURG, N.Y. – After falling behind early in the game, the Hilbert College men's basketball team battled back in the Allegheny Mountain Collegiate Conference championship nail-biter.  The Hawks took the lead for only the second time in the game with 0:24 seconds left on the clock but Greensburg quickly struck from behind the arc to ultimately set the final at 76-74.

Hilbert ended their most successful season in the program's history as a Division III team at 22-5 and played in their third consecutive AMCC championship game.  The Hawks will graduate five seniors, four of whom have been with the program that achieved a four-year 84-25 overall record and burned through the AMCC at 55-17.  Twice in the four-year period, Hilbert earned the regular-season title.

Sophomore Jalen Smith led all scorers today with 26 points, many beyond the three-point line.  

Senior Jerame Owens commanded the boards, pulling down 20 rebound and chipped in 16 points.  The 6'6 forward also added four blocks as he rewrote the All-Time Career record book in Rebounds, Steals, Blocked Shots, Field Goals, FG Percentage and he shares the All Time games played (109).

Junior Kirkland Ottey added 14 points and shared team-high honors with Sean Weisansal (eight points) at four assists each.

Senior Ryan Bradt was a physical force in the paint and grabbed eight rebounds but his offensive touches were limited against the Greensburg zone defense.  Bradt found his open teammates with nice passes through the zone, but was only credited with a pair of assists due to the Hawks below average shooting percentage.

Hilbert never really found their rhythm offensively as Greensburg did a good job slowing the Hawks offensive transition.  The Bobcats picked the ball up before half-court which prevented the hosts from running the lanes looking for easy scores on the break.   

Hilbert attacked the Greensburg zone defense with perimeter shots and sank only 9-of-30 from behind the arc.  When the Hawks got the ball inside the lane, Greensburg collapsed and forced either rushed, off balanced shots, or a kick-out.

Hilbert forced a pair of tie-scores in the first 20-minutes of action but trailed 39-36 at the break.  The Hawks shot 30% from the floor and an unusual 54.5% from the foul line (6-11).

Smith hit a jumper before Owens converted in the paint for Hilbert's first lead in the game at 18:33 in the second period.  The Bobcats Mike Connelly responded with a hit from down town and stretched the score to 47-42 after sinking another shot deep. 

Greensburg maintained their 2-possession lead the next 16 minutes until Ottey picked Jerell Figueroa's pocket in one-on-one defensive at half court.  Ottey was fouled going to the rim and made both shots to put Hilbert up 74-73 with 0:24 remaining. 

Without hesitation, Greensburg got the ball to Connelly in the right corner for another dagger at 0:19.  He found the bottom of the net to retake the lead and give the visitors the championship.

Rocco Contristano led with 19 points and Figueroa added 18 points.  Connelly hit five 3-pointers to collect 15 makers. 

At the conclusion of the championship game, a six-man All Tournament team was announced. Jerell Figueroa and Rocco Contristano from Pitt-Greensburg as well as Jerame Owens and Jalen Smith from Hilbert were presented with honors today.  Not in attendance, but also recognized were Johnathan Belton from Medaille, Eric Matheson from Pitt-Bradford, Andy Niland from Penn St.-Behrend and Andy Abreu from La Roche.

Greensburg will wait till Monday, February 29 to see who their match-up is against in the opening round of the NCAA National Division III Tournament.