HAMBURG, N.Y. – Hilbert College Men's Basketball out-lasted Penn State Altoona's late-game rally allowing the Hawks sit alone at the top of the Allegheny Mountain Collegiate Conference with an undefeated league record.
 
Hilbert, who beat Altoona twice last year, used a 29-point run over a 16-minute span from the first half into the second half to earn the victory as they improved to 8-1 overall and 2-0 in conference play.

 
HIGHLIGHTS
 
Shaheem Ellis led all scorers with 21 points after connecting on 8-of-16 field goal attempts which included a trio of 3-pointers while leading the Hawks with seven assists.

Nathan Moore was on fire in the second half hitting from all over the court.  He added 20 points off 6-of-11 shots beyond the arc, and Larry Morse was impressive chipping in 17 points (8-10 FG) and seven rebounds.
 
Ronnie Lewis hit clutch shots (6-of-9) when the Hawks were making their run, and Quran Briggs played a smart 34 minutes while giving Hilbert nine points and four rebounds.
 
HOW IT HAPPENED 

• Both teams had their track shoes on today. The score was knotted at 10-all after Ellis and Moore knocked in back-to-back 3 just three minutes into the game.
• Altoona was still pushing the pace forcing Hilbert to play catch up. Morse's 3-point play and Luke Rybicki's deep make inched the Hawks closer. Trevon Alexis and Ellis free throws preceded Ronnie Lewis' jumper and that's when the Hawks took their first lead 20-19 with 13:35 on the clock.  But it didn't last long.
• The Lions established their largest lead in the game at 3:56 (41-28) yet the Hawks didn't fold as they barreled towards half time.  Four different players combined for the 17-2 Hilbert run which gave the hosts the 45-43 lead at the break.
• Ellis' made 3-pointer gave Hilbert a 58-45 lead and forced the Lion's first timeout of the second half just 3.5 minutes in.  Moore drilled another deep shot on the Hawks next trip down the floor flipping the score board up again.
• Altoona switched to a quick 3-2 zone that shifted to a tough match-up man, but the Hawks continued to play with confidence on the perimeter with Ellis, Lewis, Moore and Briggs keeping the Lions at bay with four more deep hits.
• Altoona made a late game run, cutting the difference to single digits with 3:37 left, and got it to three points (85-83) after making two at the charity stripe.
• Ellis converted on a short jumper to give the Hawks a 5-point lead and Altoona's uncontested layup as the time wound down was a little too late. 

GAME NOTES 

• Austin Boies (3 rebounds, two assists, two steals) and Trevon Alexis (1-2 FT, four rebounds, one assist) were key players off the bench for Hilbert.
• Kal-El Gentles fueled the high-powered Penn State Altoona offense with 11 assists while hitting all five of his field goal attempts, and Nehemia Frye led the Lions with 19 points off 7-of-10 from the field.
• Altoona won the battle on the boards, building a 37-29 advantage with 12 offensive rebounds.
• Hilbert picked up 26 points off turnovers but the Lions held advantages in 2nd chance points (20-11), scoring off the bench (22-7), points in the paint (22-16) and fastbreak points (17-8).
• After shooting 45.95% in the first half, Hilbert got hot in the second session, hitting 60% of the attempts (18-3 from the field with an impressive 6-for-11 from downtown).
• Altoona finished the game hitting 51.6% from the field, and made 11 of 14 free throws
• Hilbert went to the foul line only six times but hit four freebies. 

UP NEXT
 
Hilbert heads to SUNY Geneseo this Monday, December 9th for a 7pm game in the Carl Shrader Gym.  This non-conference contest marks the first two the two programs will battle on the hardwood.