STEUBENVILLE, OH – The Hilbert College men's basketball team survived a road-game scare and earned a 67-66 victory over Franciscan University this afternoon.  

The Hawks (13-8) tied the game four times and battled through five lead changes to secure their ninth Allegheny Mountain Collegiate Conference victory.  Currently Hilbert (9-5) sits in a two-way tie for 4th place and, as they have created a 4-game advantage over the 6th place Mt. Aloysius (5-9) Mounties, the Hawks have almost assured themselves a post-season appearance with only four games remaining on their schedule.

Franciscan's bench outscored Hilbert's (48-4) and the Barons hustled to 17 offensive rebounds which they turned into 15 second-chance points.

Masia Phillips posted 20 points going 7-for-7 from the charity stripe while Antonio Alvarez added 18 points, two blocks and two steals. 

Joseph Braniecki shot 5-for-7 from the floor (13 points) and was credited with three blocks and eight rebounds.

Hunter Martineau led the Hawks on the glass and was one rebound shy of a double double scoring 10 points and grabbing nine rebounds while passing for six assists.

Hilbert found themselves down by one bucket at half time (41-39) even though they shot 61.9% from the floor (13-of-21) and hit 10-of-14 from the foul line.  The Barons knocked in 50% of their 3's, and went 17-34 from the floor.

Franciscan jumped on the score board first and held onto the lead for the first four minutes at the start of the game until Braniecki scored his 5th point which put Hilbert in front, 5-4.

Alvarez then went on a six-point run setting an 11-6 score. 

Hilbert hit a dry-spell and fell behind 16-15 with just over ten minutes left in the first half. 

From that point on, the Hawks played catch-up.  Phillips and Martineau each went 2-for-2 at the foul line which forced two tied scores and Tyler Alquilina knocked down a three to force a 39-all score at 1:04.  But the Barons connected one more time before the break.

Alvarez was perfect from the floor in the opening 20-minutes hitting all six attempts, two from beyond the arc.

Alvarez knotted the game at the start of the second half yet Hilbert's offensive production stalled as Franciscan built their largest lead – six points – on three different occasions.

Phillips hit a pair of free throws along with a jumper and Martineau scored in the paint setting a 53-53 score at 11:22. 

Phillips hit a timely 3-point bucket which lifted Hilbert back in the lead on the Hawks next possession but the Barons responded and took their final lead in the game three minutes later.

David Arlaud lifted Hilbert back on top and Phillips (five points) and Alvarez combined on the score board which gave the Hawks an eight-point lead with 3:28 left in the game.

Franciscan went 6-for-6 from the charity stripe and hit a deep shot with 52-seconds left in the game cutting the score 67-66.  Hilbert and Franciscan each had looks at the rim before time expired.

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 and then celebrate Senior Day February 10 against Pitt-Greensburg. 

Make plans now to help the men's program honor David Arlaud, Ben Bolden-McMillian and Jonathan Jackson in a pregame ceremony prior to their 2pm game next Saturday.

Be sure to stay up-to-date on all your Hilbert Hawks scores and awards by following @HilbertAthletic on Twitter and by liking the "Hilbert College Athletics" Facebook page.  Additionally fans of the Hawks who have an Apple device can receive push notification from the newly created Hilbert College Hawks iOS SIDEARM mobile App which can be found in the Apple Store and ITunes.