Box Score
GREENSBURG, PA – In a must-win league road game, Hilbert College withstood a furious Pitt-Greensburg team on hot pursuit for a late-season upset in men’s basketball. The Hawks survived their poorest shooting percentage from the field and thrived with their almost perfect execution at the foul line to escape with a 61-59 Allegheny Mountain Collegiate Conference win February 9. Hilbert moved to a three-way tie for second place with a 12-4 record with one week left to play in the regular season.
Hilbert’s Anthony Hodge {in photo} pumped in 23 points to lead all scorers. Dan McFarland netted 17 points and pulled down 8 rebounds to earn game-high honors for the Hawks. Brian Heinle scored 16 point for the Bobcats (6-10) and teammates Anthony Papini and Jerell Figueroa each added 11 points for the hosts.
Hilbert opened the first half shooting 32.8% and watched Greensburg fire-off a blazing 57% from the floor. The Bobcats built their largest lead (28-21) with 1:49 left in the first period. Hilbert finished the half on a 9-0 which started with Trevor Stark’s 3-pointer and ended with his layup which gave Hilbert a 30-28 half time lead.
In an exciting and emotional second half, both teams took turns holding the lead. Anthony Hodge scored a jumper at 13:44 to give the Hawks their largest lead (39-36) in the period. Greensburg, who shot just slightly worse than Hilbert after the break (28.1% to 28.6%) regained a 5-point spread (51-46) by 7:21. McFarland carried the Hawks through the game’s final minutes scoring 6 of the team’s last 9 points. Hilbert earned the victory at the foul line making 7-7 to close out the game.
The Hawks shot a season low 32.8% from the floor but a season high 93.3% from the foul line. Hilbert owned the boards (44-34) and for the third straight game were credited with 10+ steals.
Hilbert holds its own destiny in their hands this upcoming week. They host Penn State Behrend February 13 and La Roche February 19 with the intent of capturing their first AMCC regular season championship. Behrend (12-4) currently sits in a three-way tie with Hilbert (and Medaille) for second place and La Roche (13-3) sits alone in first place. Hilbert suffered a 68-61 loss January 14 in Erie, PA after the Hawks captured a 73-71 victory in Pittsburgh, PA on January 6.
Besides the play-off run, McFarland is 6 steals away from becoming Hilbert’s All Time Career Steal leader.