Pitt-Bradford couldn't slow down the Hawks offense as they fell in round one of the AMCC Tournament 99-88.
Pitt-Bradford (15-11, 12-6) led offensively by senior Keith Burgess (Hillside, NJ/Hillside) who had a career night with 32 points to cap off his career as a Panther.
Hilbert (20-6, 13-5) was led offensively by Trevor Stark who had a game-high 37 points for the Hawks in the win.
Pitt-Bradford started off the game giving Hilbert a few easy baskets as they turned the ball over on four of its first six possessions.
Hilbert jumped on top of the Panthers early on and kept that lead throughout the first half. The Hawks played sound fundamental basketball by taking care of the ball on offense and forced the Panthers into tough offensive situations.
The Panthers couldn't seem to find any rhythm offensively as they turned the ball over nine times in the first half.
Hilbert took their largest lead of the first half, 39-25, after an 8-0 run capped off by a Stark three-point shot with 4:35 left in the first half.
Pitt-Bradford gained some momentum as they battled back late in the first half; however, its energy came up short as a late turnover led to a Hawks' dunk just before the buzzer sounded for half time with the Hawks up, 47-35.
The second half became a back and forth battle with neither team able to put together a run on offense until Burgess converted a three-point play to cut the Hawks' lead down to five points with 7:25 left in the game.
Hilbert would not lose focus though as it regrouped and began to rebuild its lead back up to double digits after a made three-point shot by Stark with 4:49 left to go.
Pitt-Bradford could not slow down the hot Hilbert offense as the Hawks shot 56 percent for the game with Pitt-Bradford only shooting 50 percent.
Hilbert capitalized on a great shooting night as the Hawks defeated the Panthers in round one of the AMCC Tournament, 99-88.
Pitt-Bradford head coach Britt Moore said, "I couldn't have asked for a better group of young men to work with every day. The seniors came here at a difficult time for Pitt-Bradford basketball. It's a testament to their hard work and dedication that we have had the success we have. I just want to thank them."
The Panthers end the season with an overall record of 15-11 and went 12-6 in AMCC play.
