HOUGHTON, N.Y. – Four Hawks hit double-digit points as Hilbert extended their win streak with a  84-79 non-conference victory over Houghton University in men's basketball tonight.

The Hawks, who hold a 5-1 win-record against the Highlanders, needed all forty minutes to earn their fourth win this month.

HIGHLIGHTS

Shaheem Ellis led with 23 points, eight rebounds, four assists and two steals while Quran Briggs tossed in 19 points off 50% shooting from the floor and 6-for-9 at the charity stripe along with six rebounds.

Larry Morse was one rebound shy of another double-double, but he gave the Hawks 19 points and five offensive rebounds (9 total).  Justin Poumpey made 5-of-7 shots from the field and paired his 10 points with a team-best five assists.

HOW IT HAPPENED

• The Hawks started the game fast, building a six-point lead the first four minutes. The Highlanders pulled even fueled from the 3-point line and then stretched their margin after Hilbert went cold from the floor or lost offensive possessions due to turnovers the next four minutes.
• Hilbert's 8-0 run over the next four minutes forced a Houghton timeout.  Trevon Alexis' dunk and lay-in off a quick in-bounds pass knotted the game at 31-all.  The Highlanders added five quick points then both teams traded buckets leading into the break.
• Hilbert connected on 44.4% of their field goal attempts, and made only one of eight 3-pointers while Houghton hit at a 50% clip from the floor which included four made shots from downtown
• It took Hilbert a few minutes to warm up after intermission, but when the Hawks got their legs, they ran away with the game.
• Trailing by nine points (56-47) with just four minutes off the clock, Justin Poumpey and Shaheem Ellis took over and pushed the pace, scoring in spurts inside the lane or setting up teammates for easy hits at the block.  Briggs started the run by hitting all three free throw attempts at 15:46 and Ellis ended the run with eight consecutive points setting the 64-60 score at 10:17.

GAME NOTES

• Hilbert made only one 3-point shot tonight but went to the foul line 24 times (17-24) while the Highlanders made only 13 trips to the charity stripe yet connected on six shots beyond the arc.
• Ronnie Lewis gave Hilbert five rebounds (6 points), Trevon Alexis added five rebounds (4 points) and Joshua Polk went 1-for-2 and grabbed two boards.
• Houghton's Lou Bellamy cruised against the Hawks burning them for 38 points and 15 rebounds.

 UP NEXT
 
Hilbert (4-1) hits the hardwood in the Hafner Recreation Center for their next game against Elmira on Saturday, November 23rd with a 2:00 pm tip.