HAMBURG, N.Y. – The Hilbert College men's basketball team took No. 24 Middlebury College to task this afternoon. 

The Hawks, who built a 12-point lead after 31 minutes of action, weren't able to match the Panthers intensity down the stretch and dropped a 95-87 non-conference match at home.

Nicholas Parucki posted game-high 28 points, hitting 10-of-20 from the floor and all five free throws.  The 6-6 big man hit 3-of-7 from beyond the three-point line and kept the Hawks in the game, often times hitting big shots when the white and royal needed them most.

Middleburg (8-2) placed six players in double figure points, led by Matt Folger who also shot 50-percent from the floor (8-of-16) with an impressive 5-for-8 reach from deep.  The 6-8 junior also notched 11 rebounds, four assists and four blocks for the Panthers.

Masia Phillips played hard at both ends of the floor today tossing in 17 points, dishing seven assists and was credited with a pair of steals while Hunter Martineau quarterbacked the Hawks with nine assists and nine points (6 rebounds).

Joseph Braniecki (5-for-7) added 11 points, led with seven rebounds and collected three blocked shots, and Dre' Turnipseed grabbed four offensive rebounds (5 total), hit 4-of-6 from the floor and added 10 points.

Both teams shot the ball well in the first half when Hilbert took at 49-47 lead to the locker room.  The Panthers connected on five of ten from deep and 17-of-32 (53.1%).  The Hawks were better shooters hitting 20-of-37 but made only three of seven beyond the arc.

Middlebury built a 16-5 lead after five minutes of action in the opening half.  Parucki's 3-pointer capped a 20-7 run over the next six minutes when Hilbert forced a 25-25 score at 9:12.

Martineau's jumper in the paint lifted the Hawks to their first lead (29-28) and from that point on, it was a back and forth game till the break.  Parucki netted 11 of Hilbert's 21 points over the final six minutes in the half.

After four lead changes in the early minutes of the second session, Hilbert stretched their one point advantage (57-56) to 12 points (74-62) thanks to attacking offensive possessions and impressive shooting.

The Panthers Griffin Kornaker connected on a series of 3-point shots, to slice the difference in half and Middlebury notched a pair from the foul line setting a 76-72 score.

Ryan Hogan's 3-ball fell through the hoop lifting Hilbert's spirits again (79-72) but the visitors picked up their intensity and inched back into the game, forcing an 82-82 game with just over 4 minutes left.  

Turnipseed's battle in the paint gave Hilbert their final edge, 84-82, before Middlebury closed the game on a 11-5 run for the win.

Hilbert connected on 48.6% from the field, but made only 6-of-17 three-pointers while earning 35 rebounds (11 offensive).

Middlebury finished the two-game road trip hitting 49.3% from the floor, 47.6% (10-21) beyond the arc, grabbed 41 rebounds (14 offensive) and five blocked shots.

The Hawks (4-8, 0-5 AMCC) are idle until January 5 when they host Franciscan University in AMCC action (3 pm).

Be sure to stay up-to-date on all your Hilbert Hawk scores and awards by following @HilbertAthletic on Twitter and by liking the "Hilbert College Athletics" Facebook page.  Additionally, fans of the Hawks who have an Apple device can receive push notification from the newly created Hilbert College Hawks iOS SIDEARM mobile App which can be found in the Apple Store and ITunes.