HAMBURG, N.Y. – The Hilbert College women's basketball team took a huge step forward as they claimed a 68-48 Allegheny Mountain Collegiate Conference victory over Penn State Behrend tonight.

The Hawks stamped their way into the post season tournament for only the program's second time since Hilbert joined the AMCC in the 2004-05 academic year.

They set a new program AMCC Win-Record as they improved to 8-9 and, with an 11-13 overall record, the Hawks tied last year's record-setting win total.

For the first time in three years, Hilbert commanded the 40-minute game against the Lions, earning their first victory after seven tries.

Kelsi Ebert paced three Hawks who posted double figure points tonight.  The senior guard involved her teammates with seven assists as she poured in 20 points, six from the charity stripe. 

Taylor Corts went 4-for-5 beyond the arc and frustrated the Lions with her accuracy.  She tossed in 15 points and dished for three assists.

Shannon Rogers set the tone early in the game as she dominated the defensive glass.  The senior forward finished with 10 points and 12 rebounds after she earned her double double by half time (10/10).

Katelyn Proy came to life in the lane adding nine points (4 for 5 shooting) and pulled down seven rebounds.

Hilbert held a 38-27 rebounding edge and picked the boards for 12 offensive rebounds which they converted into 12 2nd chance points. 

Besides hitting 6-of-12 shots from behind the line (54.5%), Hilbert outscored the visitors 38-22 in the paint and turned Behrend's errant passes into 24 points.

After taking a 35-21 half time lead, Hilbert stretched their advantage over the next two quarters.  By the final horn, Hilbert improved their shooting percentage from 40% to 61.9% in the second half, closing with 48.2% from the field.

AS Penn State Behrend was attempting a late-game comeback, Emily Speidel struck from downtown deflating any confidence the Lions had.  The final quarter started with Hilbert up 17 points.  Each team traded buckets for the first four minutes, but then Behrend went on a run and cut the difference to 14 points twice.  Speidel reached from downtown and Ebert converted a traditional 3-point play for the games' final points with 2:17 left.

Up next, is the biggest game of their season.  Hilbert welcomes Mt. Aloysius to the Hafner Rec Center for a 1pm tip Saturday, February 18.  Earlier this season, Hilbert defeated the Mounties 68-59 in Cresson, Pa. With a Hilbert victory, the Hawks would move to 4th place in the league standings which then gives them the 1st Round home game in the AMCC play-offs.

Before the tip off, Kelsi Ebert, Maria Faso, Crystle Marion, Shannon Rogers and Emily Speidel will be honored for their efforts and contributions to the program, especially this year.