HAMBURG, N.Y. - The Hilbert College men's basketball team improved to 10-1 after their 101-89 victory over Pitt-Bradford in the Hafner Recreation Center tonight.  With the 10th win in their first 11 games, they established the program's best start to a season since Hilbert joined the Allegheny Mountain Collegiate Conference over ten years ago.  The Hawks stay a-top the league standings at 5-0 and dropped the Panthers to 1-3.

The senior class propelled Hilbert to their third 100+ point game as they combined for 60% of the team's scoring.  Sean Weisansal led the Hawks with his first collegiate double-double.  He knocked down 13 of 15 at the foul line and connected on five of his six shots from the floor while grabbing 10 rebounds and dishing five assists.

Jerame Owens was proficient from the floor sinking six of seven field goals and all five free throw attempts.  He was one board shy of a matching D-D with Weisansal, but was even with five assists.

Ryan Bradt gave the Hawks quality minutes scoring 14 points, as he helped create another big body in the paint the Panthers had to defend.  And Xavier Major hustled to three offensive rebounds (five total) while adding seven points in the paint.

Sophomore Jalen Smith led the royal and white with 27 points combining a 5-of-8 long distance performance with 8-of-10 at the charity stripe.  Smith also loaded the stat-sheet with three assists, one steal and block in his 35 minutes of action.

Bradford went with their one-two punch all night and Hilbert struggled to find an answer.  Guard Eric Matheson led all scorers with 34 points while Evan Greening muscled the paint for 33 points (two from down town) and 12 rebounds (seven offensive).  They combined for 67 of the Panthers 89 points.

Hilbert jumped out to an early lead and built a double-figure spread with just over five minutes left in the first half.  That 12-point cushion didn't last long as the Panthers closed the half with a 10-3 spurt.

Bradford, trailing 44-41 at the intermission, blanked the Hawks with a 5-0 run and took their first lead at 18:43 in the second half.   As both teams traded hoops much of the way, the game wasn't really in Hilbert's favor until the final three minutes when multiple players were whistled for their final foul.   The game stretched on and Hilbert flushed down 17 of 20 free throws to close out the win.

The Hawks shot 53.6% from the floor and made 36 free throws.
 
AMCC play continues this weekend when La Roche College and Penn State Altoona travel to Hamburg.  The Hawks host the Redhawks on Saturday (2pm) and then will turn around the next afternoon to square-off against the Lions at 1pm.