GUAYNABO, PR – The Hilbert College Women's Basketball team battled back from a double-digit deficit in the fourth quarter but ran out of time as they slipped in a 50-47 loss to Norwich University in the Coliseo Ruben Rodriguez in their final game competing in the Puerto Rico Classico.
 
Mackenzie Catan's deep hit inched Hilbert (1-10) within five, and Alesia Hamm's jumper in the paint made it a three-point game with 15-seconds remaining.  After the Cadets (5-4) missed both free throw attempts, the Hawks ran out of time unleashing a last-second shot before the final horn.
 
HIGHLIGHTS
 
Mackenzie Catan went 4-of-12 from beyond the arc and led the Hawks with 16 points.
 
Alesia Hamm added nine points, hitting all five free throws, and earned game-high honors with nine assists and three steals.
 
Kelsey Schlagenhauf and Maria Spinelli, who each scored five points, recorded double figure rebounds for the Hawks, grabbing 12 and 10 respectively.
 
HOW IT HAPPENED 

Hilbert won the first quarter (13-11), trailed 28-27 at intermission and controlled the fourth quarter (13-9) but a slow third quarter (7-13) set them back.

• Chloe Champagne's fast break layup lifted the Hawks for the first time (8-7), Belle Oakley's jumper extended the difference before Alesia Hamm made the bucket and ensuing free throw which built a 13-7 score with just over a minute left in the opening quarter.
• The Cadets used a 10-0 run that stretched over two quarters, taking a 17-13 lead at 8:02 in the second session.  But the Hawks benefited from a trio of three-point makes that shifted the score in Hilbert's favor (27-22) five minutes later.  Catan drilled back-to-back 3's and Avery Cusack's make from downtown finished a 14-5 run that started with Hamm and Spinelli's efforts in the paint. Norwich closed the period holding the Hawks in check while taking a 28-27 lead to the locker room.
• After hitting 33% from the floor in the first half, the Hawks shooting percentage slipped in the third quarter (2-13) and they committed seven turnovers which contributed to the 41-34 score at the start of the fourth quarter.
• Hilbert spotted the Cadets two buckets less than two minutes in the final period and found themselves down by 11 points (45-34) with 8:41 left in the game.  Catan scored four quick points before Hamm's jumper at 1:26 pulled Hilbert within seven points. Catan hit her fourth 3-pointer with 19-seconds left and Hamm connected again after a Hilbert steal four seconds later.  The Hawks, who put the Cadets at the line with seven seconds on the clock,secured a defensive rebound after the second consecutive miss but were unable to get a shot off before the horn sounded. 

GAME NOTES 

• Hilbert and Norwich were evenly matched in 2nd chance points, bench points, and points in the paint.  
• Sixteen of the Cadets points were secured off turnovers with an 11-2 advantage in fast break points.
• The Hawks finished the game hitting 32.1% from the field, making 6-of-24 from beyond the arc and hit only 50% from the foul line (7-for-14) while Norwich hit only 27.7% from the field, but made 10-of-16 at the charity stripe. 

UP NEXT

Before the Hawks return to WNY and scatter for their holiday break, they will get a chance to enjoy Old San Juan the next two days. 

Hilbert returns to campus before the New Year to prepare for their next AMCC league game against Pitt-Greensburg (3-7, 2-2 AMCC) in the Hafner Recreation Center January 3rd (1:00 pm tip).