Heartbreaker on Senior Night

ERIE, Pa. – The Hilbert men's basketball team outscored Penn State Behrend in both halves to produce a 69-54 victory in Allegheny Mountain Collegiate Conference (AMMC) action on Wednesday night, falling in their third straight game.

The Lions (18-6, 13-4 AMCC) continued to struggle shooting from behind the arc, connecting on only 4-of-24 three pointers (16.7 percent) in the game. As a team, Behrend has shot 20.8 percent from three-point range during its three-game drought.

Three Behrend players scored in double-figures on the night. Justin Gorny (South Park, PA/South Park) and Dan Wanker (Pittsburgh, PA/South Park) each led the team with 16 points. Gorny added eight rebounds and one assist, while Wanker snagged six boards and one steal.

Mike Fischer (Wexford, PA/North Allegheny) also scored in the double-digits for the Lions. He had 10 points and dished out five assists.

After a back-and-forth opening eight minutes, the Hawks (16-8, 12-5 AMCC), led by Antonio Alvarez, put together an 18-5 run for the next eight minutes of the game to gain a 30-14 advantage over the Lions.

Behrend closed the final 3:16 with a little run of their own. A couple layups from Gorny and a three-pointer from Mitchell King (Pittsburgh, PA/Bishop Canevin) brought the lead down to 10 points heading into halftime.

Behrend shot 31.0 percent from the floor and 11.1 percent from long range, while Hilbert connected on 48.1 percent of its field goals, including 3-of-6 from behind the arc.

As the second half was underway, the Lions continued the momentum they gained at the end of the first. At the 15:26 mark, Wanker grabbed an offensive rebound from a missed shot, and was able to convert on a layup that cut the lead to two (39-37).

Hilbert put together a run midway through the half to lengthen the lead more, but the Lions were relentless on giving up, bringing the score to 54-50 in favor of the Hawks with 8:02 left.

From there it was the Hawks' game. Layups and late foul shooting helped ice the game for Hilbert.

The Lions are looking to break this three-game skid this Saturday at Penn State Altoona. The winner of this conference matchup will secure the number two seed in the upcoming playoffs. Game time is set for 4 pm.