BUFFALO, N.Y. – The women's basketball team at Hilbert claimed their first Buffalo Cup sweep in the two-game series against Medaille College tonight.  The Hawks earned another 73-41 Allegheny Mountain Collegiate Conference victory and stay on top at 11-1 in league standings.

Kelsi Ebert guided Hilbert (13-5) to their second lopsided win against the Mavericks, scoring 25 points behind 10-of-16 attempts from the floor.  She connected on four of her six 3-pointers, with a few tagged as step-back shots off the dribble.  Ebert was also credited with nine rebounds, six assists, one block and three steals in 38 minutes.

Emily Gawlak posted her second career double-double, both against Medaille this year, and finished with 15 points and 12 rebounds.  She added three assists and two steals going full speed ahead off the first jump ball.

The Hawks got balanced scoring and impressive defensive effort from the rest of the royal and white tonight. 

Taylor Corts chipped in nine points, three steals and three rebounds while Katelyn Proy and Ashley Repine made it difficult for the Mavericks in the lane.

Both players added eight points, but their physical presence wore Medaille down.  Proy cleared the glass for 13 rebounds, earning eight offensive, and was credited with four blocked shots on the stat sheet but had her hand on a few more that were missed.  Repine dished for two assists and grabbed six rebounds and held her own, not letting Medaille camp-out in the lane.

Maegann Mein scored five points and had four rebounds while Morgan McNeill crashed the glass and picked up seven boards.

Hilbert attacked the rim and outscored the Mavericks 21-12 in the opening quarter.   Gawlak hit a deep shot for a 9-6 Hilbert lead at 5:02 and the Hawks went on a 17-6 tear after Medaille's top player went to the bench with her second foul.  Corts and Ebert reached from behind the arc while the Hawks ran their patterned offense and scored in the paint.

Hilbert continued to push the pace, scoring off penetration or short jumpers close to the hoop.  The Royal and White extended their lead after outscoring the hosts 20-9 in the second quarter and took a 20-point lead (41-21) to the locker room.

Katelyn Proy was already credited with three blocks by half time and she continued her stretch in the second half.  She poked away a pair of Medaille shots with her second deflection in the third quarter leading to Ebert's break-away lay-up at 3:22 (53-32).  By the start of the final session, Hilbert held a 60-34 lead.

Hilbert continued to control the tempo in the fourth quarter.  The Hawks' tough defensive coverage led to Medaille turnovers and resulted in lay-ups in front of the visitor's bench as time expired.

Already leading the AMCC conference in several defensive categories (opponent points, 55.7; opponent's field goal percentage, 33.3%), Hilbert maintained their edge in the league as Medaille finished with 41 points off a 22.9% field goal percentage from the floor and 16.7 percent from beyond the arc.

Hilbert shot 41.7% from the floor and held a 9-rebound advantage (55-46).

The Hawks return to the Hafner Rec Center this Saturday, January 27 when they welcome La Roche College in a 4pm tip.  The Redhawks escaped with a 58-56 victory in Pittsburgh on December 9 in what turned out to be Hilbert's only league loss this winter.