HAMBURG, N.Y. – The Hilbert College men's basketball team attacked the gaps and found open men in the lane most of the night as they worked for their 80-72 AMCC victory over Pitt.-Greensburg this afternoon in the empty Hafner Recreation Center.
 
The Hawks got 51 points out of their 'bigs' and shot the ball well from the floor as they hustled to their second conference win this season while splitting the series against the Bobcats, after falling on the road earlier this year.

THE BASICS

• Final Score:  Hilbert 80   I  Pitt.-Greensburg 72
• Location: Hafner Recreation Center, Hamburg, NY
• Records:  Hawks 6-11, 2-6 AMCC   I  Bobcats 5-10, 3-4 AMCC

HIGHLIGHTS

• Edward Perez led all scorers today after knocking down 8-of-11 from the floor, and hitting all five free throw attempts for 21 points.  He secured four offensive rebounds (8 total) and was credited with three assists and three steals as well as one blocked shot.
• Also lifting the Hawks in the lane were three other post players: Jon Evans added 12 points (6-of-8 from the field), three offensive rebounds (4 total) and four assists, while Nevada Eldridge scored 10 points (5-of-7 FG) and pulled down five rebounds. Eric Jackson shifted into the four-spot and produced eight points (3-of-6) and a pair of assists as the Hawks tore apart Greensburg zone defense inside.
• Quran Briggs did the damage on the perimeter for Hilbert, hitting for 16 points.  He also crashed for three offensive rebounds and dumped off three assists in the lane.

HOW IT HAPPENED 

• Greensburg opened the game with a quick 5-point spurt before Quran Briggs drilled his only three pointer in the game. 
• Hilbert finally knotted the game at 10-10 off a three-point play by Edward Perez as the Hawks began to solve the 2-3 zone defense Greensburg threw at them.  Jon Evans dumped the ball down low and Perez elevated for the score and one.
• There were three lead changes over the next four minutes, and, in that run, Nevada Eldridge lifted Hilbert each time he touched the ball on offensive.
• Hilbert went on a 6-point run, fueled by Perez, Jackson and Evans which put the Hawks up, 26-18.
• And they continued to find gaps and room off the glass for points in the paint as they stretched their lead to 15 with 4:45 remaining.
• Evans back-to-back dunks electrified the scorers table as the only fans permitted at the game.  Briggs assisted on the first after Hilbert outworked Greensburg for three offensive rebounds and Evans finished the steal in a coast-to-coast slam with 1:45 left.
• Hilbert held 14-point margin with only seconds before the break, but a Hilbert foul on a Bobcat half court desperation shot was whistled and their shooter pulled Greensburg within 11 at half time.
• Greensburg extended the zone defense to full after intermission and it was effective, slowing Hilbert's attack, but rushed their offense in the quarter-court once they broke the pressure.
• The Hawks maintained their double figure lead until Greensburg went on a 13-0 run, pulling within six points (56-50) with 11:22 to go.
• Hilbert fouls put Greensburg in the bonus and suddenly it was a 2-point game (62-60) at 6:28.
• The Hawks settled down, worked the ball for hi/low scores and held a 67-64 lead, when Shawn Gashi nailed a deep "3" to the relief of the administrators in the stands.
• Briggs, Jackson, and Perez finished the Hawks scoring down the stretch for the win.

 
GAME NOTES 

• The Hawks outrebounded Greensburg (37-21) and doubled their efforts on the offensive glass (15-7), second chance points (21-9), and points in the paint (42-24).
• Hilbert cooled to a 50-percent clip from the floor in the second half but finished the game at an impressive 54.8-percent, as most of their attempts/makes were inside the lane.
• The Bobcats forced 12 second-half Hilbert turnovers and scored 12 points in their come-back run late in the game.
• Greensburg padded their 72 points with 21 makes at the foul line and seven three pointers.  They turned the ball over 17 times and finished the game hitting 46.8-percent from the floor.

UP NEXT

The Hawks travel to North Buffalo mid-week when they face Medaille College for the first time this season on January 26th.   Fans will not be permitted to attend the AMCC game in the Sullivan Center but can follow action online.