CRESSON, P.A. - The Hilbert Hawks Women's Basketball team traveled today to face off against Mt. Aloysius, an Allegheny Mountain Collegiate Conference opponent. The Hawks would win their first AMCC game of the year 53-49.

HIGHLIGHTS

Alesia Hamm led the Hawks today in scoring and rebounds earning a double double with 18 points and 13 rebounds. Mackenzie Catan was not far behind with 15 points and 5 assists. Ashley Schroeder also got double digit points with 14. Grace Zabawa and Chloe Champagne both helped defensively, getting 3 steals each. 

HOW IT HAPPENED

• Kelsey Schlagenhauf scored the first points of the game for the Hawks in the paint with a jumper to take a 2-0 lead. The Hawks forced multiple turnovers early in the game. It was a strong start to the game defensively for both teams who each earned multiple stops and it helped to keep the game close. The first quarter ended 8-6 with Mt. Aloysius being in the lead.

• The second quarter started off with Alesia Hamm making a layup and also getting fouled on the way up. She would hit the free throw and make it a 3 point play. After a steal by Ashley Schroeder she would go down the court and get fouled as she attempted a layup and would make 1 of her 2 shots to earn her first point of the game. Hilbert was fouled multiple times and earned a majority of their points in the second quarter at the free throw line. The second quarter found Hilbert in the lead 22-20. 

• The third quarter started out slow for the Hawks who didn't score their first points until Mackenzie Catan hit from deep 2 point range almost 3 minutes into the quarter. This led to a 7-0 run by Mt. Aloysius which found them in the lead by 5 points. Chloe Champagne was fouled when going for a layup. She would score on both free throws to help Hilbert get closer to Mt. ALoysius. Later in the quarter Mackenzie Catan would hit from 3 as Hilbert regained the lead. The third quarter ended as the two were locked up in a close game with Hilbert holding a 5 point lead. 

• The Hawks started off the fourth quarter hot with Mackenzie Catan receiving a pass from Grace Zabawa and hitting her second 3 of the game. Mt. Aloysius battled back into the game and tied it at 45 with only a few minutes remaining. Ashley Schroeder made multiple trips to the free throw line going 4 for 4 putting Hilbert up by 4 points with only 2 minutes left to play. Mt. Aloysius tied the game and with 4 seconds left Ashley Schroeder was fouled. She hit both free throws, then Mackenzie Catan got fouled and she also hit both, which led to the Hawks winning by a score of 53-49.

GAME NOTES

Thanks to great defensive play and forcing turnovers HIlbert earned 24 points off turnovers which helped them gain a great edge over their opponent who only got 10. Hilbert also gained an edge in second chance points with 15. Hilbert shot 13 for 52 but scored a lot off of free throws going 26 for 36. 

UP NEXT

Next on the schedule for the Women's Basketball team is a home game against AMCC opponent Penn State Behrend. The game will take place Wednesday January 18th at 7:00 PM in the Hafner Recreation Center.