BUFFALO, N.Y. –  The Hilbert College men's basketball team earned a 91-77 AMCC victory tonight and a sweep in the Buffalo Cup series over D'Youville College.

Jalen Smith and Nicholas Parucki drove the Spartans crazy as the inside/outside duo combined for 47 of Hilbert's points. 

Tonight marked the third consecutive 50% field goal shooting performance by Hilbert as the Hawks held D'Youville to the third lowest percentage by an opponent this year (40%).

Smith notched his 13th 20+point scoring game this season knocking in 26 points behind 11-19 from the floor (3-7 deep) and a solo free throw.   He was one assist shy of a double-double as he finished with nine helpers.

Parucki made 10 buckets all inside the arc and went 1-for-2 at the foul line for 21 points.  Masia Phillips added 14 points and three assists, the same number as Hunter Martineau.

Kirkland Ottey battled foul trouble but still managed to score nine points behind 4-of-5 shooting from the floor.  Derrek Carman cleared the glass for 13 rebounds, his 5th double figure rebounding game this season.

Hilbert took a 45 – 38 lead to the locker room and extended their hold on the game padding 46 more points in the second half, while holding D'Youville to one less point than they scored in the opening session.

The Royal and White led for the first 12 minutes of the game before D'Youville went on an 8-0 run to build a 34-28 lead with 4:44 left. 

Carman, Smith and Parucki found their way to the rim and Parucki regained the lead with his and one score with 2:44 to go.  The Hawks never relinquished their hold on the game after that.

Hilbert twice built a 14-point lead early in the second half before the Spartans cut the score under 10.  Just three minutes later it was a six point game (61-55) but the Hawks found their offense and stretched the difference to 15 points (74-59) by 8:20.  With 4:41 to go, Hilbert held a 23 point lead and settled for the 91-77 as the Spartans closed the game on a 7-0 run.

Hilbert will board the bus for their final regular season road game this weekend when they travel to Pitt-Greensburg for a 3pm game February 11.  They then will close the year at home hosting Penn State Behrend Feb 15 and celebrate their seniors on Saturday, February 18 against Mount Aloysius.