GREENSBURG, Pa. – The Hilbert College Men's Basketball team opened the Allegheny Mountain Collegiate Conference portion of their 2023 game schedule with an 86-83 victory over Pitt.-Greensburg today in an early 1:00 pm game on the road.
 
After spotting the Bobcats 12 points at the start of the game, the Hawks rallied to take a 44-40 lead after 20 minutes and then never relinquished their hold in the second half.
 
HIGHT LIGHTS

Quran Briggs tossed in 22 points, was a perfect 5-for-5 at the foul line, and added nine rebounds.   Nevada Eldridge tossed in 21 points (9-for-15), and grabbed eight rebounds while Edward Perez hit for 12 points and led the Hawks with 12 rebounds to post his first double-double in 2023.

HOW IT HAPPENED

• Pitt-Greensburg was fired up and jumped out to a double digit lead (12-0) less than three minutes into the game. 
• Zach Miller drained a shot from downtown to put the Hawks on the score board at 17:21 and two minutes later, Hilbert sliced the margin to less than ten after Quran Briggs hit both shots from the foul line (17-9).
• The Bobcats extended the lead again (23-10) before Hilbert went on a run fueled by Briggs (5), Shaheem Ellis (3), Jahmel Demery (2), Desmond Davis (2) and Perez (2) pulling the Hawks within one (24-25). Eric Jackson knotted the game at 30-all at 6:14 but with just over two minutes left in the half, Hilbert trailed 40-34.
• Briggs, Jackson, Perez and Eldridge combined their efforts and gave Hilbert the 44-40 lead at the break.
• The Hawks held 10-4 advantage on the offensive glass, built a 17-8 lead in fast break points and scored 18 points off the eight Bobcat turnovers as they rallied for the lead.
• Less than two minutes into the second half, Greensburg inched within two points, but the Hawks stuck to their game plan and attacked the rim. 
• Davis (4) and Eldridge and Perez hit from inside the lane or at the foul line to help build a 55-48 advantage prior to a Brigg's six-point run.
• Hilbert held their largest lead late in the game (80-72) with3:25 remaining in regulation before the Bobcats stormed back forcing a one-point difference (84-83) with :15 on the clock.
• After a few timeouts by both teams, Miller hit both ends at the foul line stretching the margin back to three points securing the win.

GAME NOTES 

• The Hawks won the game at the foul line and on the boards. 
• Hilbert went 13-18 at the foul line in the second half and 6-for-8 in the final five minutes while hitting 20-29 at the charity stripe in the full 40 minutes.  Defensively the Hawks limited the Bobcats to only 11 free throw attempts that led to only eight dead-ball points. 
• The Hawks picked Greensburg for 21 offensive rebounds that led to 29 second chance points.
• Hilbert finished the game hitting 41.9% from the floor, making only four 3-point field goals while the Bobcats shot 47.1% from the field with 11 of those makes as 3-pointers.

UP NEXT

Hilbert (4-7, 1-0 AMCC) returns the Hafner Recreation Center this weekend to host their first home contest of the 2023 semester.  The Hawks welcome the AMCC preseason favorites Penn State Altoona (5-6, 1-0 AMCC) in a 1:00 pm game.