NOV. 15, 2019 - Chatham (1-1, 0-0) made their way to Hilbert College (1-0, 0-0) on Friday, November 15th to take on the tournament host in the opening round. Chatham was coming off a home win against Penn State Beaver 92-73 on Tuesday, November 12th for their first win of the season.

The Hawks jumped out to an early lead going up 15-8 midway through the first half. Chatham would claw their way back, tying the game up 22-22 after a three by first year Brandon Lavernia, with under six minutes in the half. The Cougars continued to go back and forth with the Hawks, as they would pull within two with under two minutes until halftime. Hilbert would go on a 9-0 run to close out the half as they would lead the Cougars 38-29 at the break.

Chatham would pull within five early on in the second, but Hilbert would maintain the lead for most of the half. Being down as much as 12 points, Chatham came storming back to cut Hilbert's lead to five after a three by first year Garrett Farrah with two minutes to play. With under a minute to go, a jump shot by senior Will Sandherr would put the Cougars within three of the Hawks. After a pair of Hilbert free throws by Hunter Martineau, the Cougars found themselves down six with 17 seconds to play. Moments later, Lavernia completed a three-point play after being fouled on a jump shot that he would make and converting on the free throw to make it 81-78. The Cougars couldn't complete the comeback, as they would eventually fall 83-78 in the tournament opener.

The Cougars were led by senior Will Sandherr with 18 points, all of which coming in the second half. Junior AJ Meyers would pitch in 14 points of his own, as well as eight rebounds and five assists.

The Cougars take on Cazenovia College in the second round of the two-day tournament at Hilbert College. Chatham is back in the den Wednesday, November 20th at 7 PM against Carlow University.