HAMBURG, N.Y. – The Hilbert College Men's Basketball team hosted the opening night of their 13th annual Hawks Against Hunger Tip Off Tournament tonight. 
 
The Hawks, trailing by 12 points at intermission, suffered an 81-70 loss to Clarkson University in the opening game while Lancaster Bible College survived a 118 – 110 overtime thriller against Allegheny College in the night cap.
 
Tomorrow's 1pm consolation game will feature Hilbert vs. Allegheny and Lancaster Bible will battle Clarkson for the tournament trophy at 3pm.

HIGHLIGHTS

Three Hilbert players notched double figure points, led by Quran Briggs' 17.  Edward Perez and Eric Jackson each collected their first double-double of the season.  Perez tossed in 15 points, grabbed five offensive rebounds (12 total), and swatted away two blocked shots as Jackson added 10 points and pulled down a game-high nine defensive rebounds (10 total) along with a team-best six assists.

HOW IT HAPPENED 

• It took Hilbert just three possessions to take their first lead in the game less than three minutes in. 
• The Golden Knights knotted the score twice before they took their first lead from a hit from downtown (11-10). 
• Hilbert responded with back-to-back scores liting them to their largest lead in the game (14-11) at 12:52.
• Clarkson began to find their range and hit five consecutive 3-pointers, plus a pair at the foul line to pull away (28-20). 
• While the Hawks hit shots inside the arc, Clarkson closed the half tossing in four additional buckets beyond the arc to build at 42-30 lead by the break.
• The Hawks pulled within six points at 14:44, running off a 12-6 spurt which featured a dunk by Briggs, a pair of makes in the paint by Perez off assists from Jackson and Justin Poumpey.
• But Clarkson began to pull away again after connecting on a 3-point play that stretched their lead back to a double figure spread with over 13 minutes remaining in the game.

GAME NOTES 

• Hilbert crashed the offensive glass, grabbing 13 boards but only scored 11 second-chance points.
• The Hawks scored 24 fast break points and outscored Clarkson 40-26 in the paint.
• The Golden Knights outscored Hilbert 12-2 from beyond the arc and finished the game hitting 44.4-percent from the field with an impressive 41.4-percent from deep. 

UP NEXT

Tomorrow's consolation game and championship games will give fans one more day to consider dropping off non-perishable food products or make a financial donation at the door to assist the Buffalo City Mission as they care for those in need during the holiday time.