HAMBURG, NY – Natalie Whitman recorded a double-double with a game high of 24 points and 20 rebounds to lead Hilbert past Penn State Behrend 58-47 in Allegheny Mountain Collegiate Conference (AMCC) action on Monday night.
The Hawks (2-13, 1-7 AMCC) held a five-point lead at halftime and never trailed in the second to earn their first conference win of the season.
The Lions (2-12, 1-7 AMCC) had three players in double figures, led by Brianna Bayly (Imperial, PA/West Allegheny) with 13 points. Ally Burke (Erie, PA/Mercyhurst) had 12 points and seven rebounds, while Brittany Kiger (White Oak, PA/McKeesport) added 10 points and eight boards.
In a closely contested AMCC match up, Hilbert narrowly edged Behrend by an 11-point margin.
Behrend grabbed onto the lead at the 7:52 mark of the first half after a Burke free throw at 16-15. That was the last time the Lions had the lead after an 11-3 run by the Hawks that put the hosts up 26-19.
Hilbert kept the advantage heading into the second half, but Behrend was able to cut the lead by six on a few occasions.
The Hawks took their largest lead at the 9:18 mark of the final stanza on an unconventional three-point play by Haley Oakes to make it 44-28.
Down the stretch, Hilbert went 6-for-8 from the free-throw line and got a pair of layups by Whitman to secure the victory.
The Lions return to action on Thursday against Pitt-Bradford. The Image Sports televised game will begin at 8 p.m.