After a quick start today, the Hilbert College Men’s Basketball team struggled offensively to keep pace with Pitt-Greensburg who claimed an 86-60 Allegheny Mountain Collegiate Conference victory.  

HIGHLIGHTS

Quran Briggs and Eric Jackson each notched double digit scoring  with Briggs hitting for 15 points while Jackson added 12 and a team-best four assists and one block.

Hilbert earned 15 offensive rebounds but only turned the boards in 14 second-chance points.

HOW IT HAPPENED

• Hilbert set the pace of the game early.  The Hawks won the tap and Edward Perez scored the first bucket less than ten seconds into the game.  Briggs connected from downtown and then went right to the rim for two more after picking a Bobcats’ pocket. Both teams traded scores until Hilbert went on a 4-0 run with a made jumper by Briggs and a fastbreak layup by Jackson s they built their largest lead of six points just under three minutes into the game.
• Greensburg responded with an 8-2 run and after knotting the game at 15-all, they continued to roll the dice from beyond the arc.   The Bobcats drained three consecutive 3-point shots to pull away 24-19.
• Nevada Eldridge scored twice for the Hawks, but Greensburg squeezed anther 3-point make in the middle to maintain the lead 27-23 with nine minutes left in the first half.
• On their very next possession, the Bobcats were whistled for an offensive foul and Briggs connected in the paint inching the Hawks into a two-point game (25-27).
• The Hawks went cold from the floor and struggled to control the Bobcats as they closed the half getting outscored 17-7. 
• Jackson and Miller each netted from deep and Eldridge made one free throw as Hilbert trailed 44-32 at the break.
• Things did not improve for Hilbert in the second half.  Their field goal percentage dropped to 22.9 percent but went to the foul line 19 times, hitting 12.  Greensburg continued to be confident on offense and never show any panic as they ran their patterns and drew fouls.

GAME NOTES

• Jahmel Demery led the Hawks with seven rebounds but the Bobcats won the battle of the boards today (46-42).
• The Hawks also unleashed more field goal attempts and went to the foul line 19 times in the second half but they could defend both the inside power of the Bobcats big men or the range from the perimeter of their shooters.  
• Greensburg, after hitting 7-of-12 3-pointers, cooled to only 2-for-4 attempts but ran their offense with purpose and attempted more free throws and field goals in the second period than the first. 

UP NEXT

The Hawks (9-11, 6-4 AMCC) remain in third place as they close the season with three of their last four games on the road.  Hilbert travels to Alfred State College (2-8) February 8,  La Roche University (9-1) February 11 and Pitt-Bradford (5-5) February 15.

The Hawks will host their Senior Day celebration February 18 when they host 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.

Editor’s Note: This article was shared with the Scribe by the Hilbert Athletics Department.