Box Score
HAMBURG, NY – After leading at half time by five points, the Hilbert College played through seven lead changes and five tied-scores before Fredonia’s full court press did the Hawks in. Hilbert dropped a 70-59 on-conference match to Fredonia State in women’s basketball December 14. Sabrina Macaulay swiped seven of her team’s 20 steals as the Blue Devils improved to 7-3 overall. Hilbert had three reach for double figure as they dropped to 3-8 overall in their last game before exams.
Becky Hebert went seven for ten from the foul line and nine for fifteen from the floor to lead all scorers with 26 points. Hilbert’s Natalie Whitman shot fifty percent from the floor as she chipped in 16 points. Jenah Labuski shot well, finishing with 11 points, and Jessica Jamison chipped in 10 points for Hilbert. Courtney Coots found nine points and four steals, while Sarah Lorusso {in photo} had six assists with her seven points for the Hawks.
Nikole Lindquist reached for 17 points (seven for nine) and Jamie Warren (11) and Anna Riley (10) each reached double figures for Fredonia. Warren led all rebounder with 11.
In a back and forth affair the first half, neither team could build more than a nine point lead. With one quick scoring spurt by Hilbert, it seemed that Fredonia responded with their own run. The largest lead, 23-14, was held by Fredonia at 9:06 but the Hawks closed the half with a 15-1 run (29-24). Fredonia held a four percent shooting advantage over the Hawks, but they also turned the ball over 15 times, seven more than Hilbert by the break.
Hilbert opened the second half holding the lead through seven minutes of play before each team began trading baskets. Sarah Lorusso’s three point bucket at 6:22 was the last time Hilbert led. Fredonia put their full court press back in motion and forced eight turnovers and went five for eight at the foul line to secure the win in the final minute.
In what was their most consistent shooting night this season, Hilbert finished the game at 38.1%. Fredonia went from 41.7% in the first half and turned it up to 55.6% the second. The visitors were 16 of 25 at the foul line while Hilbert went only 11 times and made eight shots. Both teams finished with 18 offensive boards, but with Fredonia’s better shooting percentage from the floor, fewer loose balls were available for the Hawks to grab; Fredonia held a 38-28 rebounding advantage.
Hilbert will be back in action the weekend January 5 when they travel to Cresson, PA to face AMCC foe, Mount Aloysius on Saturday, then to Pittsburgh, PA the next day to square off against league-leaders La Roche College January 6.