HAMBURG, N.Y. - The Hilbert College women's basketball team used a 46-point second-half effort to earn a 73-65 victory over D'Youville College tonight.  The Allegheny Mountain Collegiate Conference win gives the Hawks their first mark in the win column and comes at the right time as they begin the second-half of their league schedule. 

Shannon Rogers picked up another double-double hitting matching 15's but it was Emily Speidel who carried the Hawks with a season-high 16 points off 4-of-6 shooting, all beyond the arc. 

Haley Oakes added 11 points and Wyann Jackson chipped in 10 markers and two steals. Amber Hay posted eight points and was credited with a game-high five assists.  Pure hustle allowed Jennifer Colvin (5'3") to lead all players with seven offensive rebounds (nine total).

D'Youville (8-10, 4-8) was led by Alexis Smith with 18 points but Amanda Marcely dominated the boards as she grabbed 20 caroms and knocked in 17 points while passing four assists. 

Hilbert held a slight edge on the glass (45-43) and was credited with more steals (10-8) and fewer turnovers (16-20).

The 40-minute game came down to the tale of two halves.  D'Youville held an 11-point lead by intermission after shooting 55.6 percent from the floor.  Hilbert suffered through a 20-minute 27.8% offense to trail 38-27.

But that all changed in the second half.

Rogers opened the next twenty-minute period with an easy lay-up before the Hawks went on a 9-0 run to force the game's second tie.  Oakes started the run with a long ball and knotted the game at 38-38 with her second 3-point shot at 15:27.  Speidel then hit back-to-back three pointers to give Hilbert a two point advantage and a lead they would never relinquish.

Oakes knocked down another jumper at 10:20 and Speidel took a huge charge on the next defensive stop which took the wind out of the Spartans sails. 

Jackson then collected perfect footwork for a step-back score and forced a D'Youville timeout at 8:09.

The Hawks were on fire and their offensive production forced D'Youville to play tight which ultimately forced the visitors into off balanced and forced shots. Essentially the Spartans went cold as the Hawks were heating up.

Jackson's two freebies at the line gave the Hawks a double-digit lead 56-46 with 5:32 remaining.

The closest the Spartans were able to get was seven points (60-53) after Marcely converted an old fashioned three-point play at 3:44. 

For the game, both teams finished shooting 38% from the floor, but Hilbert's second-half momentum (51.7%) carried them to victory.

Hilbert (1-15, 1-11)returns to the hardwood this weekend when they travel to Franciscan University for a January 31, 2 pm contest.