ALFRED, N.Y.  –  The Hilbert College Men's Basketball team swept Alfred State this winter after they captured a 78-53 road win at the Orvis Center.
 
Hilbert knotted the game midway through the first half at 13-all and then rolled through the second period while maintaining a double figure lead till the final horn.  
 
HIGHLIGHTS

Shaheem Ellis led the charge through the first 20 minutes as he propelled Hilbert to a 37-25 lead by intermission.  He tossed in 15 points, went 3-for-3 from downtown before the break and finished the game scoring 21 points while hitting all four 3-point attempts.
 
Edward Perez recorded his sixth double double combining 14 points and 11 rebounds (six offensive) while Quran Briggs added 14 points, also connecting at a good clip from deep (2-for-3).
 
Jahmel Demery was one rebound shy of a double-double after posting 10 points and nine rebounds and Desmond Davis led the Hawks with five assists in 12 minutes.
 
HOW IT HAPPENED 

• Hilbert was down 13-6 early in the game before Ellis scored seven consecutive points.  He made one of two at the charity stripe but then hit back-to-back 3-pointers which forced a 13-13 score at 14:08.
•  Alfred State went back up by three points, then Demery scored consecutive jumpers in the paint which lifted the Hawks for good.
• Briggs and Ellis went on a scoring-feast and they first scored six straight points in the paint before they went off from downtown, building a 30-18 margin.
• Briggs tossed in the first 3-pointer in advance of Ellis' 4-point play at 6:19.
• Zach Miller hit back-to-back jumpers and Demery found more room in the lane which made it a ten-point spread.
• Miller then closed the final minute of the first half hitting all three free throws after getting clipped beyond the arc and Ellis scored his final jumper with 0.6 seconds left setting the 41-28 half time margin.
• Perez tossed in the Hawks' first eight points in the second half and then Briggs tickled the twine from deep (52-30) with 12:23 on the clock.
• After the Hawks manufactured a 67-48 lead, Demery (4), Austin Boies and Perez combined for a 8-0 run building their largest lead 75-48. 

GAME NOTES

• The Hawks got 31 points from their bench tonight, outscoring the Pioneers 31-10.Hilbert also built a 44-26 advantage in points in the paint.
• Hilbert clipped the hosts for 17 offensive rebounds (43 total) while limiting A-State to just nine OR (33 total).
• The Hawks were whistled for just six turnovers – committing only one in the game's first 20 minutes, and they connected at an impressive 53.8% from the 3-point line. 

UP NEXT

The Hawks (10-11, 7-4 AMCC) continue to hold No. 3 seed as they prepare for the post-season tournament.  Hilbert travels to Pittsburgh, Pa. this weekend for a rematch against No. 1 La Roche University (10-1) and they then hit the road next Wednesday to battle against 5-6 Pitt-Bradford February 15.

The Hawks will host their Senior Day celebration February 18 when they welcome Mount Aloysius in the Hafner.  Make plans now to be in attendance to honor Wendell Abellard, Zach Miller, Elijah Powell and student-coach and former two-year player Jesse Price.