HAMBURG, N.Y. –  Junior Trevor Stark's 36 points led the Hilbert College men's basketball team to a 96-87 non-conference victory over Alfred University (3-1) in the Hafner Recreation Center November 30th.  Hilbert became the first team to hold the Saxons under 90 points this year while the Hawks produced their best TEAM stats of the season.

Besides his career points, Stark also dished for team and career-high nine assists in addition to his two hustle steals.  Sophomore cousins Jerame Owens and Xavier Majordominated the paint where they went a combined 13-of-24 from the field and pulled in 27 of the Hawks' 49 rebounds.  Owens earned his second double-double with 20 points and 19 rebounds and a game-high three blocks and Major added 13 points and two blocks as he continues to shine for the Hawks.

Alfred's 6'8 Steve Lothridge led the Saxons, who typically live at the 3-point arc, with 18 points and 18 rebounds in 18 minutes of play.  He was credited with only one block shot, but his height and long arms altered several shots as they floated towards the rim.

Alfred took a 44-43 half-time lead due in large part to their up-tempo style of play looking for quick steals or forced turnovers before they launch the long-ball.  Hilbert adjusted early to Alfred's style and built a 10-point lead when Jalen Smith sank his third three-point field goal of the half with 6:20 remaining.  But Hilbert went cold and began to feel the effects of excessive fouls which were whistled against both teams.  Empty offensive trips due to turnovers or missed shots and Hilbert fouls led to Alfred's 10-0 run to tie the game for the fourth time (38-38) with 3:30 left.  Each team traded buckets to close out the first half with the visitors hitting one more foul shots before the break.

Alfred attempted 43 field goals (3-15 from the arc) shooting 32.6% from the field and an unimpressive 52% from the foul line.  Because of their 50% field goal shooting percentage, Hilbert was in the game.  The Hawks, uncharacteristically, turned the ball over 20 times which led to a lop-sided 20-8 points off turnovers for Alfred. 

Nick Nadeau opened the second half with a traditional three-point play to swing the score in favor of the hosts.  But Alfred jumped to a five point lead forcing the Hawks to call timeout.  The Saxons responded with another bucket before Trevor Stark went on a personal eight-point run, scoring four straight layups before his assist to Owens gave the Hawks their second lead of the half (56-55) at 15:44.

Xavier Major blocked a Thomas Tsatsis shot but was then called with a follow-up foul prior to his go-head layup at 14:41.  Big-man Lothridge gave the visitor's their last advantage when he hit both ends of his trip to the charity stripe at 14:23.

Hilbert went on an 11-5 run with Stark chipping in nine points to give Hilbert a 70-65 lead at 9:49.  Both teams battled for scores but Hilbert was ultimately able to stretch their lead late in the game to claim the victory.

For the day, Alfred's bench outscored Hilbert 49-22 as the Saxons rotated through fourteen players who all unloaded at least two shots towards the rim.  Alfred won the rebounding battle 59-49, and grabbed twice as many offensive boards (30-14).  And the visitors maintained their average of 30 three-point field goal attempts.  All of this meant little as Hilbert shot 48.5% from the field and were 6-of-16 from beyond the arc. Hilbert outscored the Saxons 28-4 in fast break points. 

Hilbert produced their highest field goal percentage, three-point field goal percentage, and rebounding totals in their five games played to date. 

Jalen Smith and Stark each shot 50% from the three point line and Stark converted 10 of his 12 foul shots.  CJ Hodge was credited with four of the Hawks 19 assists.

With four wins under their belt, the confident Hawks will open the Allegheny Mountain Collegiate Conference portion of their 2013-14 schedule this coming week when they host Medaille College (0-5) December 4th.   The double-header basketball game begins at 6pm with the men tipping first.