Hamburg, N.Y. – The Hilbert Hawks women's basketball team fell to the Bobcats of Pitt-Greensburg, ranked third in the AMCC, 79-45. Hilbert battled hard but could not keep Greensburg out of the paint, which proved to be the difference maker.
Shannon Rogers started the game off for Hilbert with a strong lay-up and a free throw. Then a steal by Rogers for an
Amber Hay lay-up put the Hawks up 5-0
. That quick start by the Hawks awakened the Bobcats and they fought back and scored the next eight points. Sam Heiler's midrange jumper cut Greensburg's lead to one (8-7) but that was the closest the Hawks came the rest of the afternoon. The Bobcats continued to pull away by pounding the ball inside – with thirty of Greensburg's first half points coming from inside the paint. Neither team was able to connect on a long ball in first half and the Hawks trailed 42-24 at the break.
The second half was similar to the first, as Greensburg continued to work to get the ball inside and generate points off turnovers. The Hawks struggled to find their stroke, shooting a mere 7-33 in the final twenty minutes. Greensburg made all 11 of their free throws and connected on two three-pointers.
Lindsay O'Neil came off the bench for the Hawks and tallied five points and four caroms in the second half.
On the afternoon, the Hawks shot 26.7% (16-60) and only mustered eleven points from their bench while the Bobcats shot 47.8% (32-67) and added 52 bench points. The Hawks were also outscored 50-26 on points inside.
Kelsi Ebert led the Hawks with 15 points (7-8 from the free throw line) and five rebounds. Rogers had a team-high seven boards, including three on the offensive end, and added eleven points.
Amber Hay notched six points and two assists.
Sylvia Stuart of Greensburg led all scorers with 28 points and had a game-high eight rebounds. Brittany Butterworth handed out five assists in the win.
The Hilbert Hawks (0-12) play host to Penn St.-Behrend this Monday, January 19th at 6pm in the Hafner Recreation Center