HAMBURG, N.Y. – The Hilbert College women's basketball team built a 12-point first half lead but suffered a 78-69 non-conference loss to Cazenovia College today.  Hilbert got twin production from their leading scorers as Shannon Rogers and Markayla Feaster each posted 12 points while Emily Speidel and Kelsi Ebert each reached 10 points in defeat. 

The Hawks were consistent shooters from the field finishing with 40.9 field goal percentage.  Haley Oakes hit all three of her 3-pointers she attempted to lead Hilbert's attack from beyond the arc (62.5%).  But the hosts were not productive at the foul line hitting only 10 of their 20 attempts for the game.

Hilbert did a great job defensively in the first period, holding Cazenovia to 26.5% field goal shooting.  The Wildcats came out of the locker room on fire and sank 20 of their 33 second-half shots (60.6%) to score 51 points and take the win.

Cazenovia's Erin O'Malley (24) and Skylar Girard (21) lead three visitors who posted double-figure scoring.

Hilbert out-rebounded the visitors by one and grabbed only two more offensive rebounds than the visitors.  Shannon Rogers led all players with 10 boards and earned her first collegiate double-double while maintaining her double-figure rebounding average for the short season.  Markayla Feaster added four offensive rebounds (8 total) for the Hawks and matched that number in blocks.

Hilbert jumped out early and held an 18-6 lead mid-way through the first half.  Cazenovia chipped away at the score, but Wyann Jackson's jumper at 10:16 stretched and matched the Hawks' earlier 12-point lead.  Both teams traded baskets the rest of the half and Hilbert rode a 35-27 advantage to the break.

Rogers padded her points to start second half, but Cazenovia went on 6-0 run to knot the game just five minutes into the second period.  Over the next ten-minutes of action, both teams matched efforts and kept the game close.  There were three lead changes and the game was tied four more times before the visitors took over.   Emily Speidel's shot at the charity strip broke the last tie of the match (59-58 at 5:55) before Cazenovia outscored Hilbert 20-10 to close the game.

Freshman Samantha Heiler finished with game-high honors in steals (5) and only one turnover in 32-minutes of action running the team at point.

Hilbert returns to action this Wednesday, December 3, when they host Medaille College (6p) in their opening AMCC contest this season.  Fans who can't attend the game can watch all the action on free-streaming video (here).