Box Score
HAMBURG, NY – The Hilbert College men’s basketball team set a new Season Win record after their 86-79 Allegheny Mountain Collegiate Conference win over Mount Aloysius College February 2. Seniors Anthony Hodge and Dan McFarland combined for 47 of the Hawks points and 20 of the team’s 30 made free throws. Freshman Jerame Owens (3 blocks) produced his 8th double-double of his young career with 16 points and 12 rebounds. With the victory, Hilbert now sits at 16-5 overall, eclipsing the 15 wins which was set last year.
Jeff Stem netted 22 points including four 3-pointers to maintain his lofty ranking in the NCAA Division III three-point shooting categories, and Dameon Turner added 15 points and nine rebounds for the Mounties 9-5, 13-8 overall. Hilbert’s Trevor Stark chipped in 11 points helping the Hawks retain the fourth place in league standings, tied with Medaille (10-4). But because of their two wins over Hilbert, the Mavericks gain the 3rd seed with four games remaining.
Only eight seconds into the game, Mount Aloysius’ Stem lite the board first. After trading baskets the next three possessions, Owens stole the ball and converted a layup to give the Hawks the two-point edge, which they held for almost four minutes. Mount Aloysius used a 21-10 run to grab a 28-18 lead at 5:26. The Hawks then went on a 17-9 sprint to cut the difference to two points at half, 37-35.
Hilbert had an uncharacteristic 11 turnovers by half time, but shot 40% from the floor and made 10 of 13 at the foul line. The Mounties grabbed 10 offensive boards but made only one three-pointer and shot 37.8% from the floor.
It only took Hodge 17 second for his first steal which lead to his first bucket in the second half which tied the game. Stem knocked down a ‘3’ prior to McFarland going in the paint slicing the lead to one. Owens made one of two free throws before 6’11” John LeGrande gave the Mounties their last lead of the contest at 18:32.
Hilbert put together a run and a six point lead before LeGrande’s tip-in knotted the game again (63-63) at 7:43. Both teams continued to trade baskets but Hilbert was perfect from the charity stripe making all 10 attempts to claim the win.
Hilbert finished the game with an impressive 49.1 shooting percentage and 71.4% free throw shooting. The Hawks limited their second half turnovers (4) and were credited with 8 team blocks for the game. Mount Aloysius tallied 21 offensive rebounds but only netted 31 buckets (and five of those were from downtown). The Mounties finished with 40.3 field goal percentage and 50% from the foul line.
Hilbert’s next task is Wednesday, February 6th when they host Pitt-Bradford at 8pm.