HAMBURG, N.Y. – The Hilbert College men's basketball team suffered an 89-87 overtime loss today to an AMCC undefeated La Roche College Redhawks this afternoon.  The Hawks fell to 1-3 in the league and 4-5 overall while the Redhawks improved to 6-3 overall and stayed perfect at 3-0.

Kirkland Ottey and Nicholas Parucki carried Hilbert on their shoulders hitting big shots in flurries, but the hosts struggled at the foul line.

Ottey led Hilbert with 29 points sinking 6-of-10 shots from long distance, while Parucki struck from 10 feet and in, collecting 24 points off 10-of-17 shooting.

After digging out of an eight-point hole at the start of the second half, Hilbert outscored the Redhawks in the second stanza (50-42).

Hilbert picked-up their defensive energy and created several fast break opportunities in the first 10-minutes of the second half.

But Dion Etheridge hit a short jumper with four seconds remaining for La Roche and sent the game into overtime.

In the final five minutes of action, the Redhawks took a quick six-point lead (82-76) before Ottey hit his 5th 3-point shot with 2:05 left.   La Roche responded with a deep shot of their own but Ottey didn't hold back and launched another long ball cutting the difference 85-82.

La Roche found their rhythm again with another basket in the paint yet, Ottey attacked the rim again and scored a driving, off-balance layup which he was fouled on.  The senior guard finished the possession with a made foul shot cutting the score to 87-85 with 0:22 on the game clock.

The Hawks were whistled for a quick foul which sent La Roche to the charity stripe.  Their shooter hit only one of two but did stretch the lead far enough that the
Hawks needed to hit a long shot to knot the game again.

Ottey was fouled in late-game desperation three-point attempt and went to the foul line with three shots waiting for him.  After missing the first, he made the final two which sliced the score to 88-87.

The Hawks again fouled La Roche and again they missed the first but made the second.

Hilbert had four seconds to go the length of the floor for the win, but Hilbert's final shot fell short of the rim as the horn sounded.

Jalen Smith added 10 points and seven assists while Hunter Martineau led all players with 10 assists. 

Derrek Carman chipped in 13 points and eight rebounds for the Hawks who fell six rebounds short of the Redhawks who won the glass (42-36).

Hilbert went 13-22 from the foul line in the overtime loss.

With just one day to prepare, Hilbert returns to the hardwood for another AMCC match-up against cross-town rival, D'Youville College.  The Monday, December 12th game is the first Buffalo Cup meeting between the Spartans and Hilbert this year.