BEAVER FALLS, Pa. - The Hilbert College women's basketball team opened their 2014-15 season with a 67-56 non-conference loss at Geneva College tonight.

Markayla Feaster, Hilbert's freshman forward led the Hawks with 13 points, seven rebounds and shared game-high assist honors (3) with senior Amber Hay who chipped in 11 points. Geneva placed three players in double-digits scoring with Heidi Mann posting 18 points.

Hilbert out-rebounded the Golden Tornadoes by 16 (50-34) and the Hawks' first-year player, sophomore Shannon Rogers led all players with 10 boards before leaving the game in foul trouble. Both Rogers and sophomore Emily Speidel knocked down nine points as Speidel went two-for-five from long distance.

Hilbert converted 40% of their first-half shots and held the Tornadoes to a 29.6% field goal percentage en route to the 25-23 half time lead. The tides turned in the second period with Geneva shooting 44.8 percent (hitting four 3-point shots) but Hilbert cooled to 30.6 percent and went 0-8 from beyond the arc.

Hilbert looked in good shape in the first half. At 12:55, the Hawks built a double figure lead and stretched it to a game-high 12 points which they held for about two minutes. Geneva chipped away at the score and cut it to a two by half time with Hilbert up, 25-23.

The Golden Tornadoes took their first lead of the second half and maintained control until Hay hit a lay-up at 8:01. Freshman Samantha Heiler knocked down both free throws giving the Hawks their first lead in the second half. Jenah Labuski's jumper at 6:58 kept Hilbert on top 50-48.

Slowly, Geneva pulled away and outscored the Hawks 19-6 the rest of the way.

Hilbert returns to Hamburg next week and hosts their home opener against Houghton College November 18, with a 6pm tip.