BUFFALO, N.Y. – The Medaille College men's basketball team won their fourth conference game in a row tonight against the Hilbert Hawks. The Mavericks came up with the win 72-67.
The Mavericks started it off winning the tip-off and
Jorarei Bile (Oxon Hill, MD, Oxon Hill) made an early layup from there to put them in the lead quickly.
Bryce Smith (College Station, TX, A&M; Consolidated) added a big three from
Travis Sanders (Cleveland, OH, Euclid), but the Hawks charge back, score, and make the and-one.
Rodney Graves (Woodbridge, VA, Colgan) entered the game at 17:00 and immediately drained a three. The Hawks were coming back and scored four more, but
Kendall McGill (Largo, MD, Largo) steps back and makes a jumper to make it 14-7. Soon after Sanders drives into the basket and extends the lead with a pass from Graves. At 18-11, it became quiet for both teams. There were missed shots and turnovers. At 10:14 Graves ended the no-scoring streak with a three from Sanders. They strike again, this time Bile was fed by Graves. The defensive pressure from the Mavs made the Hawks really use their shot-clock time. The game was starting to become more physical. With five minutes left to play in the half, the Hawks started to creep up. They were within eight points. With three seconds left, Graves hit another three to put the Mavs ahead 36-30 going into halftime.
The Hawks came to play in the second half. They started it off with a three to put them behind by only three points. At 15:58, Hilbert takes their first lead of the game from a free-throw. They score a jumper soon after, and now the Mavs are trailing 40-37. Graves answered back with a layup to stay within one. The momentum was picking up for the Hawks.
Daunte Wilcott (Erie, PA, Mercyhurst Prep) made a big layup, causing Hilbert to call a timeout. The Hawks were starting to lose their lead. At 9:26,
Tyler Sealy (London, England, DME Academy) drains a three from the corner to put the Mavs ahead. During the Hawks inbound, McGill stole the ball and made a layup, and the and-one. They took their lead back. The Hawks managed to tie the game back up at 60-60, but McGill hits one from behind the arc. That would do it. The Hawks started to foul to get the ball back, but it wouldn't be enough. The Mavs win 72-67.
Game leaders for the Mavericks were McGill with 20 points shooting 9-11, with two rebounds, two blocks, and two steals, Graves with 15 points shooting 5-16, with six rebounds, four assists, and two steals, and Sanders with eight points shooting 2-5 with eight rebounds. Three assists, and one steal.
The Mavericks will try and extend their win streak to five at home on Saturday, January 29. Penn State Behrend will travel for a 4:00 p.m. tip-off.
