BUFFALO. N.Y. – The Hilbert College men's basketball team improved to 6-1 and picked up their first AMCC victory tonight after they captured a 72-67 win at Medaille College tonight.  The Hawks edged the Mavericks in a rematch of last year's AMCC championship game where the royal and white fell in overtime in Erie, Pa. 

Jalen Smith led Hilbert with 19 points thanks in large part to his 4-of-7 shooting beyond the arc and 75% from the foul line.  Jerame Owens posted 14 points (12 at the break) and Kirkland Ottey netted 11 along with seven defensive rebounds.

Xavier Major and Ryan Bradt shared game-high honors as each pulled down 10 rebounds helping the Hawks dominate the glass ( 52-39 edge).  The Mavericks forced 24 Hilbert turnovers and were credited with 18 steals which they converted into 25 points.

After trading baskets to start the game, Owens' six points fueled a 10-0 Hilbert run to build a 10-point lead by 14:45.  Three minutes later, David Arlaud knocked down a jumper to give the Hawks a 20-9 lead which did not last long.

Medaille hit a 3-pointer to cap the 11-0 run taking a 21-20 lead.  They stretched the score to 33-26 by 3:02 remaining in the first half before Hilbert found their grove again.

Hilbert outscored the hosts 9-0 run to close the 1st half with a 4-point lead by intermission.

Nehemiah Kornegay connected twice in the paint and extended the Hawks lead to 11 points (50-39) and Sean Weisansal hit a pair of free throws to set the 59-45 score with 10:40 on the clock.

Four Hilbert fouls later, Medaille cut the difference to just eight points before Ottey scored a traditional 3-point play to push the score back to double digits.  But, slowly, the hosts sank buckets and held Hilbert scoreless to set the two-point game with 3:20 left.

Smith added a bucket and Ottey and Weisansal's efforts at the foul line set the final score.

Hilbert closed the game hitting 44.4% from the floor and 57% from the foul line.  The Hawks were credited with 8 team blocks led by David Arlaud's three swats.

The Hawks return to Hamburg this weekend for another AMCC double header match in the Hafner Recreation Center.  Mount Aloysius (1-0 AMCC after their two-point victory over Franciscan tonight) travels from central Pa. for a 1pm tip against Hilbert.