ALTOONA, Pa - Behind a high-scoring first quarter, the women's basketball team rode a 35-31 lead into intermission.  A second-half scoring slump and fouls hurt the Hawks as they fell to Penn State Altoona 67-59 this afternoon.

The hosts earned their first victory of the season and improved to 1-1 in AMCC play while Hilbert dropped to 2-5 and 0-2 in the league standings.

Emily Gawlak's 12 points led nine scoring Hilbert players.  Kelsi Ebert and Emily Speidel tossed in nine points each and Shannon Rogers posted eight points and added 11 rebounds.

Hilbert owned the boards, clearing the glass with a 15 board advantage with 19 on the offensive end.  Neither team was hot beyond the 3-point line as both sides hit only two shots of 15 and 17 attempts.  Hilbert attempted 71 field goals, sinking 26 while the Lions connected on only 25 of their 62 shots.

The game came down to defensive positioning and fouls which allowed the opposing team multiple trips to the foul line.  Hilbert finished the game hitting 5-of-8 free throws while Altoona converted 15-of-22.

The Hawks used balanced scoring in the opening session as Kelsi Ebert led the way with seven points.  Emily Gawlak tossed in six and four other Royal and White visitors added to the score board giving Hilbert a 25-16 advantage.

Altoona battled back outscoring Hilbert 15-10, but they still trailed at half time 35-31.  Emily Speidel hit back-to-back jumpers mid-way through the quarter, but the Lions closed the first half  on an 11-0 run.

Hilbert struggled to retain possession in the third session as they committed six turnovers and struggled to find the bottom of the net.  After Altoona built a four point lead, Shannon Rogers and Taylor Corts sank back-to-back baskets forcing the first tie.  Altoona padded their lead by one free throw and then Rogers matched the score again before the quarter ended, 48-48.

The Lions won the game in the final quarter hitting 8 of 12 free throws while Hilbert went 3-for-20 from the floor.  Speidel and Crystle Marion each scored three points in the catch-up effort before the final horn.

Hilbert held advantages in all categories of the play analysis: 21-15 points off turnovers, 14-6 in 2nd chance points, 15-8 in bench points, 36-32 in points in the paint and 16-8 in fast break points.

Hilbert returns to Western New York for a Buffalo Cup game Wednesday, December 7 at Medaille College.