HAMBURG, N.Y. – The Hilbert College women's basketball team found their intensity on the defensive end in the second half which lifted them to a 69-60 Allegheny Mountain Collegiate Conference victory over Penn State Behrend tonight. 

The Hawks, who trailed by two points at half time, elevated their defensive presence in the final two quarters and were credited with six blocks while forcing the Lions into a 26.3% shooting performance after the break.

Hilbert improved to 6-1 in league action and maintained their #2 ranking while they dropped Behrend to 3-4 and into a two-way tie for 6th place.

Ashley Repine muscled her way in the paint, posting 15 points (7-for-9) and 11 rebounds (5 offensive) plus two blocked shots.

Kelsi Ebert knocked in 16 points and finished with four assists while Taylor Corts continues to return to game speed.  The sophomore guard saw 33 minutes of action and chipped in 14 points behind a 3-for-6 performance behind the line.

Emily Gawlak, who shadowed the Lions' point guard all game, collected 10 points, eight rebounds, three assists and two steals.

Maegann Mein was a bright spot off the bench hitting both her shots in the paint and earned a pair of trips to the foul line while grabbing an offense board.

Hilbert out-rebounded Behrend 50-36 and finished the game shooting 41.7% from the field.

Each team raced to 16 points after the first 10 minutes of action.  Behrend broke the 7^th tie-score situation with a short jumper with eight seconds on the clock before intermission and took a 32-30 lead to the locker room.

Mein knotted the score 45-45 with one free throw and then hit a jumper in the paint with lifted Hilbert into the lead for good with :46 left in the 3^rd quarter.   

The Hawks never relinquished their lead in the final frame but the Lions made a dent in the 11- point spread before the horn.

Hilbert (8-5) returns to the hardwood this weekend for the AMCC Game of the Week contest against #1 and undefeated Mt. Aloysius Mounties at 3pm January 13.
 
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