HAMBURG, N.Y. – The Hilbert College men's basketball team outlasted the Franciscan Barons this afternoon in Allegheny Mountain Collegiate Conference action.  The Hawks claimed a 91-73 victory earning a series sweep over the Ohio institution.

Jalen Smith led five Hawks who posted double figure points this afternoon.  The 6-1 shooter reached his season average knocking down three 3-pointers for 22 points.  Smith also led the Hawks with six assists and added four rebounds as Hilbert improved to 12-9 and 8-6 in league play.

Nicholas Parucki finished with 16 points and seven rebounds, just one ahead of Derrek Carman in both categories.  Joseph Braniecki added five rebounds and seven points battling against a tough interior opponent from Franciscan (matt Trent) who netted 22 points (10-of-12) and pulled down eight rebounds.

Masia Phillips went 5-for-7 from the floor, hitting both 3-point shots, and Kirkland Ottey added three assists and a pair of steals along with his 10 points.

Nicholas Parcuki opened Hilbert's scoring and the Hawks needed Derrek Carman's next two buckets before they held their first lead, 6-5, at 16:38.

Twice Hilbert stretched their lead to nine points, once off a Jay Bergmann jumper and the second time thanks to Parcuki's jumper 30-seconds later at 9:29.  But the Barons just hung around and found ways to put points on the boards and keep themselves within striking distance.

Hilbert took a 41-35 lead to intermission and earned their first double-digit lead (48-37) off a Ottey layup at 16:55 in the second half.

Franciscan hit two shots from down town and cut the difference to five points with 14:38 remaining but the Hawks made a 7-0 run and built a 12 point lead and never let Franciscan get it under 10-points again.   Parucki's three-point play with 3:42 left lifted Hilbert to a 20-point lead and then both teams cleared the benches.

The Hawks struggled the first half with a 47.2% shooting period.  They responded hitting 63.3% of their shots but only 57.1% from the foul line (12-21).   Hilbert played through their second-lowest turnover game today, credited with only seven miscues. 

Hilbert takes to the road next week when they travel to D'Youville College for their final Buffalo Cup contest.  Earlier this season, the Hawks claimed a 92-86 victory at home on December 12.  Hilbert must take care of business in their final four games to ensure themselves another post season tournament play-off spot.