WAYNESBURG, Pa.  – After shooting a hot sixty-percent from the floor in the first half, the Hilbert College men's basketball team's shooting touch cooled in the second session which resulted in an 80-74 non-conference loss to Waynesburg University tonight.

Masia Phillips' 19 led five Hawks who posted double digit points against Waynesburg whose pressure defense got the best of Hilbert in the second half.

The Hawks built a slight lead by intermission (40-39) behind strong inside shooting by Nicholas Parucki (3-for-3), David Arlaud (5-for-6) and Joseph Braniecki (1-for1) who combined for 21 points.

Hilbert built a 6-0 lead after two and a half minutes of action in the first half, thanks to a Phillips free throw, a Braniecki jumper and a Phillips three at 17:30.  That turned out to be the Hawks largest lead in game as the Yellow Jackets battled in a back-and-forth contest the rest of the period.  Waynesburg held onto their lead longer, as the Hawks forced four ties, but only three lead changes.

Hilbert shot an impressive 15-25 from the field (60 %) scoring 20 points in the paint.

Waynesburg jumped ahead right away at the start of the second half.  Hilbert responded and by 13:43 the Hawks held a five point advantage (51-46).  Hilbert kept the Yellow Jackets at bay as they maintained the lead through three minutes of action.  Waynesburg strung five quick points together and tilted the scoring back in their favor (60-56 at 10:33).

Tyler Aquilina struck from downtown setting a 67-66 Hilbert advantage at 5:22, but that ultimately was the final Hawk lead of the game.  Waynesburg finished the contest hitting 3-of-4 at the charity stripe for the win.

The Hawks hit only 39% of their field goal attempts in the second half and were credited with only six steals for the game.  The Yellow Jackets collected 12 steals and were whistled for 23 fouls as they set the pace in the second half.

Hunter Martineau added 12 points and seven assists in 36 minutes.  Parucki  (12 points) Braniecki and Arlaud (11 points each) were the main offensive threats tonight.

Guards Antonio Alvarez and Martineau cleared the glass for team-high seven rebounds each as the Hawks were out-rebounded 38-30 .

The men's basketball team (6-4, 4-1 AMCC) has a 13-day break for the Christmas holiday and they will return to action January 6 at Pitt-Greensburg.

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