WEST HARTFORD, CT ? The University of Hartford men's basketball team and first-year head coach Dan Leibovitz earned their first victory of the 2006-07 season on Saturday in a 60-50 final against Dartmouth College at Chase Arena at Reich Family Pavilion.

Senior Bo Taylor recorded his sixth career double-double with 12 points and a season-high 10 rebounds. He was named the Nestle Purina ONE America East Player of the Game. Classmate Alex Zimnickas also finished in double figures for the Hawks with a team-high 13 points. Dartmouth's Jason Meyer led all scorers with 18 points.

The Hawks took control in the first half and held off a comeback in the second stanza to improve to 1-3 overall. The Big Green dropped to 0-5.

Hartford shot 52 percent in the first half and held a commanding 31-13 lead at intermission. Dartmouth shot only 15 percent (4-of-26) in the first 20 minutes and went 0-for-8 from three-point range. After falling behind 2-0, the Hawks ripped off 15 straight points and never trailed again. Taylor scored eight of his 12 points in the stanza to pace Hartford, which shot 52 percent (12-of-23) for the half.

Dartmouth came out with a better shooting touch in the second half and whittled the deficit to single digits with 6:13 to go in the game. The Big Green got as close as 52-45 with just under three to play, though the Hawks closed the game with free throws and a three-pointer from sophomore Michael Turner.

Dartmouth shot 54 percent (15-of-28) in the second half and 35 percent (19-of-54) for the game. Hartford shot 45 percent (21-of-47) for the game and finished with a 33-32 edge on the glass. Turner had his best game of the season, scoring nine points while pulling down nine rebounds. Junior Rich Baker and freshman Joe Zeglinski added eight points apiece.

Hartford will next play at Cornell University on Tuesday, November 28 at 7 p.m.