HAMBURG, N.Y. – Hilbert College Men's Basketball earned a thrilling come-from-behind 89-84 non-conference victory over SUNY Fredonia tonight in the Hafner Recreation Center.
 
The Hawks came alive in the second half, picking apart the Blue Devils match-up zone defense, shooting 64.2% from 3-point range while hitting clutch shots in crunch time to take control of the game. 

The combination of Shaheem Ellis' offensive explosion and Larry Morse's rebound and scores in the paint were key to the Hilbert come-back.

HIGHLIGHTS

Five Hawks reached double figure scoring led by Shaheem Ellis and Nathan Moore on the perimeter and Larry Morse in the paint.
 
HOW IT HAPPENED 

• Fredonia exploded off the tip and took a 48-41 lead to the locker room after hitting 66.67% from the floor (16-24) and 60.0% beyond the arc (6-10). 
• The Hawks struggled to find their rhythm hitting only 39.5% from the floor (17-43) and 30.7% deep (4-13).
• Fredonia set the pace early putting points on the board in transition or quick ball reversals for 3-point makes on the weak side.  Their energy was difficult for Hilbert to match the first ten minutes of the opening half after the Blue Devils built an 18-point spread (36-18) with 9:30 left.
• Quran Briggs, Ronnie Lewis and Shaheem Ellis cut the difference to 12 points, but Fredonia quickly went back up 18 again with five minutes remaining.
• Lewis hit a pair at the charity stripe and two mid-range jumpers flipping the energy into Hilbert's favor before the break.
• Fredonia continued to play their 1-3-1 match up defensive in the second half even after the Hawk began to attack the opposite elbow for deep shots or quick ball reversal scores. 
• Hilbert, trailing by 10 at 13:45, pulled together and clawed their way back.  Ellis hit back-to-back 3's, Briggs went 4-for-4 at the foul line, Nathan Moore connected from deep before Briggs and Morse's efforts knotted the game at 78-all with 4:16 on the clock.
• Hilbert closed the game with purpose, as Moore and Ellis continued to connect behind the 3-point line.
• Ellis sealed the game with a pair of made free throws with :08 on the clock.

GAME NOTES
 
There were several key players tonight who all did their job.

• Shaheem Ellis led with 26 points (8-14 from floor and 8-12 from 3-point line), added five assists and two steals along with four rebounds.
• Justin Poumpey led the Hawks with seven assists, dishing four before half time when the Hawks were making their run to close the gap and was credited with two steals.
• Larry Morse recorded his third double-double with 17 points and 13 rebounds (8 offensive) and at times he drove the Blue Devils crazy as he worked his way around them on his way to the rim.
• Ronnie Lewis produced career-numbers, scoring 15 points on 6-for-13 from the field and Quran Briggs tossed in 14 points (5-for-11).
• Nathan Moore finished with 12 points making four shots from deep downtown.
• Hilbert out rebounded the Blue Devils (41-34) and doubled their efforts on second chance points (16-8).
• Fredonia's bench outscored the Hawks 24-5, and built a 46-28 advantage in points in the paint.

 UP NEXT

The Hawks head to central New York for another non-conference game at Keuka College this Saturday.  Tip-off is set for 2pm November 16.^.