HAMBURG, N.Y. – Jerame Owens' 29 point, 20 rebound effort lead his Hilbert College men's basketball team to their first Hilbert Tip-Off Championship today. The Hawks shot to an 88-80 victory over Utica College, while St. Lawrence University captured the consolation game 84-48 over Alfred State College.

Owens scored 19 second-half points to help his Hawks hold-off a determined Utica team who last captured the Tip-Off title two seasons ago.

Hilbert opened the game with easy transition scores running on the visitors who played slower, more patterned sets. The Hawks jumped out to a 12-2 lead by the 14 minute mark through unselfish passing which led to easy layups. Defensively, Hilbert did a lot of double-downs which led to several deflections and steals.

Quick Hilbert ball movement opened up long-distance looks against Utica's zone defense. The Hawks made four 3-point shots forcing Utica to extend their zone out to the arc. And the longer Utica stayed in the switching zone Hilbert was forced to change their pattern of attack. Penetration kicks or baseline dump-ins into a flashing player down the lane opened things up again for Hilbert against the Pioneer zone.

The Hawks grabbed several 16-point leads but Utica cut it back to 9 points (7:43) with hustle plays and Hilbert miscues. Hilbert took advantage of Utica's mini-breakdown the last minute of the first period and rode to a 43-25 half time lead.

Coach Rob deGrandpre used ten players early in the game and it was successful. Trevor Stark led all scorers with 11 points with three steals at the break. Owens added a double-double (10pts/10rebs) with two of his game-high three blocks.

Hilbert held Utica to a dismal 29 percent field goal shooting (1-6 from beyond the arc) in the first half.

After the break, Utica played with a different sense of urgency which caught Hilbert off guard. The Pioneers cut the lead to 2 points (47-45 by 13:07). The Pioneers controlled the boards and harassed Hilbert into rushed shots. The confidence displayed by Hilbert was lacking the first seven minutes of the second half.

Jalen Smith's 3-pointer started a 5-0 Hilbert run to secure a double-digit lead again. Utica could only get as close as eight points after that. Numerous times Hilbert responded and stretched the lead. Owens was the right player in the right spot at the right time to finish plays. Paul Rath, twice, secured an offensive rebound after a missed Hilbert free throw which he turned into points.

Hilbert could have put the game away early, had they converted their free throws. The Hawks were 11 for 24 from the charity stripe. Many of those trips to the line were in 1 and 1 situations which would have led to more points and better shooting than the 45.8 percent.

Xavier Major added 14 points (six for eight from the floor) and three steals from the front line to complement his cousin. Christian Hodge had a game high seven assists to go along with his eight points and Stark finished with 13 points and four steals. Off the bench, Smith's nine points and Rath's six rebounds and three assists (3 points) were appreciated.

Utica's Aaron Nevis converted 11 of his 16 free throws to give him 26 points and three steals and three assists. Chris Jeffers finished with 11 points and 10 rebounds.

St. Lawrence University cruised to an 84-48 non-conference win over Alfred State in the consolation game of the Hilbert College Tip-Off Tournament.

The Saints scored first and slowly built a double digit lead by 15:46 (12-2). Alfred State kept it close and cut the score back to single digits often before St. Lawrence went on a 15-2 run with less than six minutes remaining in the first half.

The second half played out much like the first. Alfred State stayed close, but St. Lawrence's offensive rebounding and inside play helped them to extend their lead to 40 (79-39) at 5:57. The Saints controlled the boards, grabbing 54 (22 offensive) to Alfred's 36).

St. Lawrence finished the game shooting 39.5 percent from the field and 75% from the foul line. Alfred State made 32% of their shots but was only two for ten from beyond the arc.

For the second day in a row, Brady Condlin led St. Lawrence with 14 points (six of seven from the floor, perfect two of two at the line). Kieran Miller cleared the glass with 10 boards (six offensive).

Tommy Hutson scored nine points for Alfred State (0-2). Tavon Moore and Brad Ferraro added eight points each.

Jerame Owens was named the tournament's Most Outstanding Player and joining him on the All-Tournament team were Trevor Stark (Hilbert), Aaron Nevins (Utica), Brady Condlin (St. Lawrence) and Tommy Hotson (Alfred State).