HAMBURG, N.Y. – With Alesia Hamm and Kelsey Schlagenhauf putting on a show in live-action, the Penn State Altoona Lions stole dead ball points to escape with a 79-74 overtime victory against Hilbert in women's basketball this afternoon.
 
The Lions (9-8, 6-4 AMCC) forced overtime with a layup in the final seconds of regulations, and then finished the game going 9-for-10 in the final 23-seconds of action.
 
HIGHLIGHTS
 
Alesia Hamm put up career numbers against the Lions, scoring 30 points and pulling in 12 rebounds while dishing for six assists along with two steals.  She was very successful getting to the paint and deceiving defenders with hesitation-and-go moves to the rim or finishing offensive put-backs for scores.
 
When Hamm wasn't drive Altoona crazy, Kelsey Schlagenhauf played with confidence showing a variety of strong post moves either drop-stepping for scores or turn-around jumpers in her career-best 27-point game.  She too earned three offensive rebounds (4 total) and was credited with two steals.
 
HOW IT HAPPENED 

• Hilbert trailed 19-9 in the opening quarter.  Hamm and Maria Spinelli sliced the margin to six just before the Lions closed the quarter with a hit from downtown to take a 24-15 lead heading into the second period.
• The Hawks game out on fire and outscored the Lions 20-8 which resulted in the 35-32 half time lead.  Hamm tossed in one make from beyond the arc, added another three points from an "And-1"   tossing in 10 points while Schlagenhauf added six in that run.
• Hilbert maintained their lead through the first three minutes after half time, played in a two-possession game over the final minutes of the quarter until Altoona knocked in a 3-pointer before the start of the fourth.
• The Hawks battled in the last ten-minute period and it took three minutes of strong play in the 4th before they regained the lead, 57-56. Hilbert stayed in control, twice came out on top of tied score situations in addition to three lead changes.  The Lions drove to the hoop with six seconds left and sent the game into overtime after scoring in the paint.
• Belle Oakley made both shots at the foul line lifting Hilbert 67-64 midway through the extra period.  The Lions went 1-for-2 at the charity stripe and then made a 3-point shot which gave them the lead for the first time in OT.  Schlagenhauf hit back-to-back jumpers inside the lane (Hilbert a 71-70) but then the Lions made five trips to the charity stripe and hit 9-of-10 when the clock wasn't running for the win.

GAME NOTES 

• The Hawks, after battling back from a 24-15 deficit, owned the rest of the game until the final 23 seconds.
• Hilbert shot the ball better (42% to Altoona's 40.9%, and went 12-of-15 at the foul line (80%).  But the Lions, who went to the foul line 25 times, hit only 19 shots (76%).  
• Altoona made their free throws when the game was on the line. 

UP NEXT

Hilbert (2-14, 2-7 AMCC) travels this mid-week for another AMCC tilt against Alfred State College Wednesday, January 24th with a 5pm tip.