STEUBENVILLE, OH - The Hilbert College men's basketball team found its sweet spot this past week as the Hawks earned their fourth straight win, beating Franciscan University 71-66 in Allegheny Mountain Collegiate action this afternoon.

Masia Phillips and Hunter Martineau were each one tally away from posting double doubles as they guided Hilbert to victory keeping the team's hopes alive for a spot in the AMCC tournament.

The 7th seed Hawks (5-11) are chasing the 6th seed which is currently occupied by Franciscan (6-9) who closes the season with three road games this coming week.  There are still a lot of moving parts as we wind down the men's side of the bracket, but to be sure, Hilbert must win both games this week to give themselves a chance to head back to playoffs.

Phillips led all scorers with 17 points and grabbed nine defensive rebounds while adding three assists and three steals.  Martineau matched Phillips with three steals but dished for nine assists and added 13 points (5-for-5 at the foul line).

Joseph Braniecki reached for 12 points marking his fourth consecutive game where he added double digits in the scorebook.

The Hawks sank 29 buckets, hitting only two beyond the arc as Franciscan made 27 baskets and reached for five from the 3-point line. Statistically, this game was won at the foul line where Hilbert connected on 11-of-15 while the hosts struggled, hitting 7-of-18 (39%).

The Barons built a 48-36 edge on the glass and outrebounded Hilbert 15-6 on the offensive end but Franciscan committed 18 turnovers which Hilbert converted into 19 points.

Play was tight in the first half as each team gained the lead three times after forcing 10 tie scores.  Franciscan held their largest lead in the game (19-14) at 11:23.  Dre' Turnipseed, Martineau, Braniecki and Nicholas Parucki lifted Hilbert back on top (22-20) three minutes later.

Only once from that point did Franciscan regain the lead (37-36) but a breakaway layup and 1 by Martineau shifted the score in Hilbert's way before the break.

Hilbert took a 42-41 half time score and used a Phillips lay up at the start of the second session to get things rolling. The Hawks maintained a two-possession lead until Turnipseed scored in the paint at 11:40 stretching the score to 58-51.  Braniecki's bucket at 9:01 gave Hilbert their largest lead (60-51) and then both teams traded scores for a few minutes.

Franciscan sliced the margin to four points (66-62) after Hilbert missed two shots and then turned the ball over on their next possession.

Martineau, Phillips and Turnipseed kept the Barons at an arm's length going  5-for-6 from the charity stripe in the final 22 seconds of the game.

The Hawks (9-14 overall) will host #5 D'Youville College (8-7) February 13.  The Spartans have host Medaille on Monday, February 11 then travel to Hamburg two nights later.

Hilbert closes the season Saturday, February 16 against Pitt-Greensburg with a pre-game Senior Day celebration for Joseph Braniecki and Nicholas Parucki.

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