WEST HARTFORD, CT - After falling into an early hole, the University of Hartford lacrosse team rallied to make it a game in the second half, though Binghamton University held on for a 16-8 victory Saturday at Al-Marzook Field.

BU's Stephen Smith scored six goals and Rob Williams added four more as the Bearcats won their America East opener and improved to 5-3 overall. Hartford dropped to 2-7 overall and 0-2 in the conference.

The Bearcats got off to a hot start, scoring the game's first six goals. Smith had three scores during the span as BU looked like it would cruise the rest of the way. However, junior Tom Harris got the Hawks on the board with 5:27 remaining in the half on a feed from sophomore Brian Tilley.

Hartford would score three more times in the final five minutes of the stanza, including a pair of goals from senior Josh Wasson-McQuigge. The Hawks trailed 7-4 at the break despite being outshot 21-8.

The Hawks scored three of the first four goals of the second half to pull within a goal at 8-7. Wasson-McQuigge scored the third goal by picking off a pass and streaking downfield for a one-on-one chance against goalkeeper Larry Kline, beating him for his third goal of the day.

Binghamton quieted the Hartford comeback with six straight goals, pulling out to a 14-7 advantage. Smith scored three times during the stretch while Williams added a pair.

BU outshot Hartford 40-16 for the game and won 19 of 28 faceoffs thanks to the play of J.P. Wioncek. Kline, who played the second half in goal for the Bearcats, finished with four saves. Kevin McKeown, who played the first half and picked up the win, also made four saves. BU went 2-for-4 on extra-man opportunities for the game.

Freshman goalkeeper Jon McMahon made 10 stops for the Hawks while allowing 14 goals. Classmate Garret Allwes played the final five minutes of the game and made one save.

Hartford will next play at Siena College on Tuesday, April 4 at 3 p.m.