PITTSBURGH, Pa. –Hilbert College fell 92-74 at La Roche College this afternoon in men's basketball as Jalen Smith and Kirkland Ottey combined for 44 of the Hawks' points.

The Redhawks (10-2) remain in a two-way tie for #1 seed in the Allegheny Mountain Collegiate Conference after their win while Hilbert slipped to sixth place at 7-6.

Jalen Smith was on fire in the first half, putting together an 18-point performance hitting 7-of-10 shots, going 4-5 beyond the arc.  Kirkland Ottey was just as accurate from long distance connecting on 3 of his 4 attempts.   Joseph Braniecki was credited with seven rebounds as Hilbert trailed 51-41 by intermission.

La Roche took an early lead to start the day, but Nicholas Parucki and Jalen Smith got Hilbert right back in the game.   A pair of short jumpers in the paint for Parucki and Smith's first 3-point shot at 16:50 gave Hilbert a 9-7 advantage. 

For every matching shot the hosts made, Smith responded with his own.  The 6-2 southpaw carried Hilbert's offensive output scoring the next  13 points, combining three 3-pointers and a pair of jumpers building a 22-17 lead by 12:46.

Masia Phillips broke-up Smith's scoring spree with his shots at the charity stripe.  Kirkland Ottey  then took over and kept the Hawks ahead, sinking a pair of his shots beyond the arc.   Braniecki went one for two from the foul line giving Hilbert their final lead in the half (31-30) at 6:35 and from there the Hawks had to play catch-up.  Ottey and Jay Bermann each reached from downtown again, but the Redhawks built a 51-41 lead by intermission.

Hunter Martineau's layup at 17:22 gave the Hawks their first points in the second half with the score 58-43.  After La Roche built a advantage, Hilbert rallied.  Braniecki's four points started the run, Ottey hit a three point shot and then scored an old fashioned three point play.  Smith followed suit with his 'and one' which sliced the deficit to eight points (66-58).

The hosts found the bottom of the net on their next possession and Ottey responded once again from downtown keeping the game in reach (68-61) midway through the session.

After almost two minutes of scoreless action, La Roche started a run and notched a double digit lead which they never surrendered the rest of the way.

Both teams were impressive from the floor.  Hilbert finished with a 57.9 percent 3-point FG % (11-19) and La Roche was slightly better at 60.9% (14-23).   Hilbert committed 17 turnovers and earned 33 rebounds.   

Jalen Smith led with 23 points and four assists and Kirkland Ottey chased right behind with 21.  Hunter Martineau handed out eight helpers and Joseph Braniecki led with nine rebounds.

Hilbert returns to action mid-week when they travel to Alfred State College for their final non-conference game which will tip at 7:30pm.