HAMBURG, N.Y. – After falling behind (34-21) by intermission, the Hilbert College men's basketball team's 49-point second half push wasn't enough as the Hawks slipped to Mt. Aloysius 75-70 in Allegheny Mountain Collegiate Conference action this afternoon.

Mt. Aloysius got a big lift from Trent McErlane, a reserve player who knocked down 4-of-6 three pointers in the first half.  His shooting gave the Mounties an offensive confidence while Hilbert struggled from downtown, hitting only 2-of-10 from deep. 

Six different Hilbert players chipped in on the score board with the Dre' Turnipseed and Joseph Braniecki leading the way with six points each by the break.  Hilbert lost nine offensive possessions due to turnovers, but cleared eight offensive rebounds before the second half.

The Hawks trimmed the difference to six points less than three minutes into the second period thanks to an 9-2 run led by Braniecki's two buckets.

The Mounties responded to Hilbert's push and went on a 12-4 run, building their largest lead of 14 points (48-34) at 12:44.

Slowly Hilbert crawled back into the game. 

Masia Phillips posted five points behind two shot from the floor and Hunter Martineau's fastbreak layup brought Hilbert within four (53-49) and things looked good.

The Mounties Carlos Palacios knocked down a 3-pointer to stretch the score, but a 3-point play by Phillips pulled Hilbert within four points again.

Back-to-back jumpers by Turnipseed set a 58-56 score.  Palacios responded again for the visitors and then Phillips pulled Hilbert within one point (60-59) off a shot from downtown.

Mt. Aloysius responded with their own deep hit and then both teams traded 2-pointers before Ryan Hogan dialed up from the left baseline slicing the scored back to a 1-point game (65-64) with 2:27 left to go.

Three empty Hilbert trips allowed the Mounties to extend their lead back to seven points (71-64) and that spread held up to the final horn.

Hilbert connected on 20-of-38 shots (52.6%) from the floor and cut down their turnovers to just four in the second half but closed the game with a 53.5% performance from the foul line (8-of-15).

For the first time this season, five different Hawks notched double digit scoring, led by Masia Phillips 17 points (16 second half).  Dre' Turnipseed posted 12 points and Joseph Braniecki added 11 and seven rebounds (2 blocks). 

Hunter Martineau added 10 points, seven assists, four steals and led the Hawks with 11 rebounds while Nicholas Parucki hit 4-of-6 from the floor (a pair of 3-pointers) to post 10 points.

Mt. Aloysius was led by rookie Carlos Palacios who strung 26 points, 12 rebounds, five assists and two steals together in his first appearance in Hamburg.

With final exams upon us, the men's basketball team has a six-day break from competition.  The Hawks return to the hardwood for a 4 pm game at La Roche College December 15.

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