HAMBURG, N.Y. – The Hilbert College men's basketball team exploded off the tip building an 18-point half time lead before the Mavericks stepped up their defensive effort.  But Jalen Smith and Nicholas Parucki wouldn't allow Medaille to swing the score and Hilbert held on for a 90-86 Buffalo Cup victory tonight in men's basketball.

Jalen Smith sank six 3-point shots spaced throughout the game, but it was Nicholas Parucki's back-to-back long balls that made the biggest statement.  

Hunter Martineau cleared the defensive glass as the Hawks' point guard was the only player on the court tonight to earn double figure rebounds.  The 5-10 freshman grabbed 10 rebounds and dished for eight assists helping Hilbert (10-8, 7-5) knock off the #1 ranked Mavericks (12-6, 9-2) and even the Buffalo Cup series at 1-1.

Kirkland Ottey posted seven of Hilbert's early points behind a pair of 3-point shots and a lay-in as the Hawks built a 20-10 lead after just seven minutes of action.  Twice Smith stretched the Royal and White's lead to 15 points but it was Joseph Braniecki's dunk at 6:52 that sent the fans in the stands into a frenzy.   

Hilbert held a 34-17 advantage which they extended to 42-23 after Smith canned a pair of deep shots at 3:07.  Derrek Carman's four point-run closed the half for Hilbert who took a 50-32 lead to intermission.

The Hawks hit 52.8% of their shots, hitting 5-of-10 beyond the line and 100% from the foul line.  They committed six turnovers and had four steals with all players geared-up for an upset.

Medaille found their defensive energy in the second half and forced Hilbert into quicker offensive patterns and out of sync.  The easy looks that were there in the first weren't in the first 15 minutes of the second half. 

The Mavericks clawed their way back and trailed 66-63 at 5:42.

Insert Parucki and he bombs his first three-pointer which gave Hilbert some life.  The sophomore forward then added only one free thrown on his next trip, but made up for it the next time he touched the ball.

Medaille had whittled the difference to 70-69.  Parucki struck again behind the line and then stormed the court for a block-shot which lead to Hilbert's offensive in the full court.  Jalen Smith finished the rally with another one of his shots behind the line at 3:10 and gave Hilbert a 7-point cushion they needed.

Ottey went on a 5-point run and Smith hit again from deep (84-75) 0:56 but Medaille just wouldn't quit.  Hilbert converted 5-of-6 at the charity stripe with Medaille hitting a long shot as the horn sounded for the four-point spread.

Jalen Smith netted 30 points and Nicholas Parucki (6-for-8 from the floor) added 16.  Derrek Carman tossed in 15 points and grabbed seven rebounds while Ottey collected 13 points.

The Hawks finished the game with almost identical shooting percentage from each half (52.5%) and earned a five-board victory on the glass (38-33).  Medaille forced Hilbert into 10 second-half turnovers blanking the Hawks with any steals in the final 20-minutes.

Hilbert travels this weekend to La Roche College for a 4pm tip January 28.  With tonight's win, Medaille and La Roche now sit in a 2-way tie as the league leaders at 9-2.  Hilbert is holding on to 5th place just ahead of Bradford whom the Hawks beat twice this season.