HAMBURG, N.Y. – Things looked good for the Hilbert College women's basketball team for the first 20 minutes of action today when they hosted the six-time AMCC Championship team, La Roche College. 

The Hawks slipped early in the first quarter but battled back to a 2-point score (10-8) at 4:58 after Emily Gawlak scored six-straight points.  La Roche took advantage of Hilbert miscues and they jumped out on a 10-2 run to finish the quarter up, 20-10.

The Redhawks stretched their lead to 12 points with their first possession in the second period. Four different players scored in Hilbert's 8-2 run which cut the score to 24-18.  On two separate occasions, thanks to Kelsi Ebert and Emily Gawlak, the Hawks pulled within three points and they trailed 30-27 at intermission.

After hitting their first shot on the second half, La Roche extended their defensive pressure and forced Hilbert into four turnovers which the Redhawks converted into scores.  By 5:13, Hilbert fell behind by 15-points and continued to struggle to handle the ball.  The Hawks finished the quarter with eight turnovers, although two of those were associated with a pair of offensive fouls.  Ebert scored two short jumpers and Crystle Marion went 1-of-2 from the charity stripe to complete Hilbert's offensive output in the third.

Hilbert regrouped and made a run in the final period, but the 23-point spread was too much to recover from.

Hilbert's bench did outscore La Roche's bench (20-17) but the Red and White proved to be too much for the hosts to handle.  La Roche scored 34 points off Hilbert's turnovers and held a 20-2 advantage in fast break points.

The Hawks shot the ball well, hitting 51% of their shots, yet were only 3-of-9 at the foul line.

Emily Gawlak posted 12 points and five rebounds in 33 minutes of action.  Kelsi Ebert added 10 points along with three assists and two steals, also in 33 minutes.

Taylor Corts was the Hawks' leading rebounder with six boards while connecting for seven points, earning Hilbert's single trey for the day.

La Roche was led by the 2016 AMCC Preseason Player of the Year selection, Sabrina McLin, who scored 23 points and picked Hilbert for five steals. 

The women's basketball team returns to action in two days when they welcome D'Youville College for another Buffalo Cup game this Monday.  The Hawks will tip at 6p vs. the 4-2, 2-1 Spartans.