HILBERT, PITT-GREENSBURG TO SQUARE OFF IN MEN'S BASKETBALL FINALE

The table is set for the 2016 AMCC men’s basketball championship with Hilbert College facing Pitt-Greensburg for the conference’s automatic bid to the NCAA Division III tournament.  Tip-off is 1pm at the Hafner Recreation Center in Hamburg, NY.

The top seed and host Hawks had their hands full with #5 seed Pitt-Bradford in semifinal #1, prevailing 80-75.  Senior forward Jerame Owens recorded 21 points, 6 rebounds and 4 assists for Hilbert, with junior guard Jalen Smith contributing 16 points with 4 three-pointers and senior guard Sean Weisansal adding 10 points and 5 assists.

The Panthers’ junior forward Evan Greening led all scorers with 22 points and 11 boards, while senior guard Eric Matheson chipped in 18 points, 7 rebounds and 6 helpers.  Pitt-Bradford dominated the boards, 34-27, but committed 13 turnovers to the Hawks’ 8.

The #2 Penn State Behrend/#3 Pitt-Greensburg match-up was the rubber match of the season for the two squads, with each winning on their home courts in the regular season. So it was no surprise that their tournament game was marked by numerous second half lead changes and stretched past regulation.  The Bobcats eventually prevailed, 67-64.

Pitt-Greensburg was led by senior guard Jerell Figueroa, who nailed a series of free throws in the waning minutes of both the second half and overtime to secure the victory.  He finished the day with 19 points.  Also stepping up was senior forward Rocco Contristano with an 18 point, 11 rebound effort, and senior forward Mike Connelly who came off the bench with a 21 point performance.

The Lions got outstanding efforts from freshman guard Andy Niland (22 points, 5 rebounds, 3 assists) and junior guard Malquan Pullum (11 points).  Senior forward Zane Hackett was held below his season scoring average but still managed to dominate the boards (8 points, 13 rebounds).

Hilbert, the regular season champion, is seeking their first overall AMCC title, while Pitt-Greensburg, a two time overall champion, will be looking for their first crown since 1999-2000.