ALFRED, N.Y. – The Hilbert College Women's Basketball team split their series with Alfred State College tonight when they captured a 59-51 victory in the Orvis Activity Center. The Hawks were ready to play tonight paying back their earlier three-point loss in Hamburg in late November.
With the win, Hilbert improved to 3-7 in the league and dropped Alfred State College to 2-9 in conference standings.
HIGHLIGHTS
Belle Oakley came off the bench and gave quality minutes scoring 11 points while collecting her first career double double with 10 rebounds, and
Mackenzie Catan added 14 points, her third double digit game this winter.
Alesia Hamm posted her ninth double-double this season pairing 15 points with 13 rebounds while dishing a game high eight assists.
HOW IT HAPPENED
- Both teams started the game with full court pressure. Hilbert took an early lead off back-to-back buckets by Ashley Schlagenhauf and a deep hit by Belle Oakley, but the Pioneers pulled ahead thanks to consecutive 3-point makes, taking a 12-9 lead after ten minutes.
- With Alfred State dropping into a zone defense, Hilbert set-up around the perimeter in the second period. Mackenzie Catan's made jumper gave the Hawks their first lead (13-12) only to have Hamm extend it with two more at the charity stripe. Catan (2) and Avery Cusack reached from downtown while Hamm and Cusack hit shots in the paint which gave the Hawks a 20-10 scoring margin in the second quarter and a 29-22 lead at half time.
- The Hawks shot the ball well the first four minutes at the start of the third quarter. Their offensive production stalled the rest of the quarter which allowed Alfred State to get right back in the game. With just a two-point difference, Oakley connected from the left baseline to lift the Hawks back on top 40-39 with just over one minute left. in the quarter.
- Oakley hit her third 3-pointer to open the fourth, and Schlagenhauf broke the 43-43 tie two and a half minutes later. ASC switched to zone defense again, but the Hawks chipped away and made space in the paint. Schlagenhauf and Hamm got the rim each while Catan dialed up from beyond the arc again. Hilbert, leading by seven, used the clock each offensive possession and forced the hosts into rushed shots, or forced turnovers. Oakley and Cusack closed the game at the foul line to secure the road win.
GAME NOTES
- Belle Oakley was a big lift in the first half, hitting that one 3-pointer while grabbing seven rebounds off the bench. She finished with 32 minutes of action, went 2-for-2 at the foul line and was credited with two blocks.
- Kelsey Schlagenhauf netted 11 points, while Avery Cusack recorded her career-highs scoring eight points and earning seven rebounds.
- Hilbert dominated the glass, building a 42-27 margin.
UP NEXT
Hilbert hits the road again this weekend for back-to-back AMCC games Saturday and Sunday. Hilbert will face Carlow University at 2pm January 27th (Oakland Catholic High School) and then play their rescheduled AMCC game at Mount Aloysius January 28th with a 12 pm tip in Cresson, Pa.
