HAMBURG, N.Y. – Needing to pick up the win, the Hilbert College women's basketball earned an important Allegheny Mountain Collegiate Conference victory over Franciscan University this afternoon.

The Hawks got scoring out of 11 different players in their 71-43 win at the Hafner Recreation Center.

Taylor Corts led the charge posting 17 points and three steals while Emily Speidel knocked down four 3-pointers at crucial times adding 13 points.

Kelsi Ebert gave Hilbert a lift with 11 points, nine assists, five steal and seven rebounds.

Katelyn Proy banked in an easy layup at the start of the game before Franciscan hit back-to-back 3-pointers putting Hilbert in a 6-2 hole.  Corts responded with five quick points for Hilbert's 1st lead but the Barons' Kaitlyn Sonneberger connected on her 3rd long distance make regaining the lead, 9-7.

Shannon Rogers scored the bucket and then finished the free throw for a 10-9 score and Hilbert never trailed again the rest of the game.  The Hawks held an 18-15 opening quarter lead and extended it to a 36-28 score by intermission. 

Three triples in a row (Speidel, 2 and Corts, 1) combined with Crystle Marion's shot from the foul line and Alayna DeFazio's jumper gave Hilbert their largest lead (36-26) before the break.

After half time, Emily Gawlak reached from down town and two more Speidel long-balls set the difference to 19 points with 4:41 left and the Hawks just settled in and played team basketball.

Hilbert closed the contest with a 50 percent field goal shooting day and sank 8 of 17 shots beyond the arc against Franciscan's zone defense.  The Hawks cleared the boards, earning a 41-24 advantage.  Seven different players chipped in with an assist as the team was credited with 20.

Emily Gawlak, Shannon Rogers and Maria Faso each added five points with both Rogers and Faso shooting 50% from the floor.

Ashley Repine and Gawlak hustled for six rebounds each and Rogers dished three assists.

Now sitting in 6th place in the AMCC league standings, the Hawks (9-12, 6-8) will next battle at D'Youville College Wednesday, February 8th in their final Buffalo Cup contest.  The Hawks claimed a 69-56 victory over the Spartans on December 12.