STEUBENVILLE, OH – The Hilbert College women's basketball team regrouped at half time and outscored Franciscan University 39-26 in the second stanza to claim a 73-60 road win this afternoon. The Hawks improved to 13-1 and gave the Barons their fourteenth defeat in conference play.  

Taylor Corts established a career high, scoring 31 points, hitting 10-of-13 shots from the floor (7-of-9 deep) and going 4-of-5 at the charity stripe. 

Kelsi Ebert tossed in 13 points and dished nine assists while Katelyn Proy added 10 points.  McNeill (nine points) and Emily Gawlak controlled the glass as Gawlak led with seven rebounds and McNeill crashed for three offensive boards (four total).

Hilbert stayed at the top of the league standings and assured themselves at spot in the AMCC Final Four Championship weekend today. With only four games remaining, and the #3 seeded team carrying six losses, there is no way Hilbert can finish below #2.  But they are focused on earning the right to host the championships as the #1 seeded team.

The Hawks jumped out to a 22-16 lead after the first quarter behind Cort's 13 points but the team's offensive production stalled in the second session.  The Barons edged the Royal and White 18-12 before intermission and sent both teams to the lockerrooms knotted 34-34.

Hilbert made six 3-point shots in the first half led by Morgan McNeill's 3-for-4 performance and Taylor Corts 17 points.  The Hawks shot 40% from the floor and hit 4-of-5 at the foul line.  Franciscan was better from the field, hitting 13-of-26 shots and 5-of-7 from beyond the arc.

Ebert pushed the pace in the third quarter scoring eight points, pulling down four rebounds and dishing two assists along with grabbing one steal.  Hilbert outscored the Barons 19-12 and continued their separation into the final session. 

Corts hit another pair of long-balls and matched the effort at the foul line to lead with eight points.  Katelyn Proy went 3-for-4 in the final 10 minutes to put seven points into the score book.  Franciscan continued to shoot the ball well in the last segment, but trailed by too many points to claim their first win of the season.

The Hawks have two home games next week before they close the season on the road. 

Hilbert and D'Youville will battle in their second Buffalo Cup game of the season February 7.  Also, on Wednesday night, Hilbert will host a Play4Kay game and the women's basketball team will honor breast cancer survivors prior to tip off. 

The Hawks close their home-stand February 10 when they will celebrate the team's two seniors – Jenna Castricone and Kelsi Ebert – on Senior Day against Pitt-Greensburg.