WEST HARTFORD, CT ? The University of Hartford men's basketball team erased an 18-point second half deficit to pull out an 80-75 double-overtime victory over Boston University on Saturday afternoon at Chase Arena at Reich Family Pavilion.
The Hawks improved to 8-6 overall and 2-0 in the America East while snapping a nine-game losing streak to the Terriers (3-10 overall, 0-1 AE). Freshman Joe Zeglinski, the Nestle Purina ONE America East Player of the Game, scored 20 of his team- and career-high 22 points in the second half and overtime periods. Sophomore Jaret Von Rosenberg also added a career-high 20 points, 17 of which came in the second half and overtime.
“The team really stepped up today,” said head coach Dan Leibovitz. “This wasn't a stat sheet game?we won this game with a lot of heart. We never gave up and were eventually able to force some turnovers and get back into it.”
Boston University led 25-20 at the half and extended its lead to double digits early on in the second stanza. A technical foul on the Hartford bench gave the Terriers their biggest lead of the ballgame, as Brian Macon made the pair of free throws and Carlos Strong nailed a three-pointer as BU went up 46-28 with 11:27 remaining.
The Hawks clawed their way back into the game with the help of some tenacious defense. Using a fullcourt press, Hartford forced BU into eight straight turnovers and reeled off 14 unanswered points. The Terriers didn't even attempt a field goal over a 5:30 minute stretch in which it was outscored 16-1 and had to call two 30-second timeouts. The Hawks pulled to within 47-44 with 6:24 to go on a pair of Zeglinski free throws.
“Our press, without question, was what changed the game,” said Leibovitz. “I think we've made comebacks like that in games this year, and it's the press that always forces turnovers and gets us back into things.”
Corey Lowe finally got BU rolling again with a three-pointer at the 5:44 mark and added two more treys over the next 1:30 to bring the lead back to nine at 58-49. However, Zeglinski and the Hawks did not go down quietly, answering with a 12-2 run to take their first lead of the half. A Zeglinski three-pointer from a few steps behind the arc gave the Hawks a 61-60 lead with 17 seconds to play.
BU called a timeout and gave the ball to Macon on its final play of regulation. He drove to the basket along the baseline and was fouled with one second remaining. He missed the first free throw but made the second to tie the game at 61-61, and the Hawks went to senior Alex Zimnickas on the ensuing inbounds play for the potential game-winner. He took the fullcourt pass at Hartford's three-point line and put up a shot that was off the mark.
Hartford jumped out to the initial lead in the first overtime on a Zeglinski layup off the jump ball. BU took a 65-63 lead on a Tyler Morris three-pointer, though Von Rosenberg raced back down the court for an easy layup to tie the game. Tied at 68-68 later in the period, Zeglinski knocked down another three-pointer to give Hartford the lead, but Morris came right back with a trey of his own with 45 seconds left. The Hawks had the final possession of the first OT and got two good looks but couldn't get anything to fall.
Hartford never trailed in the second overtime as junior Rich Baker got the Hawks started with a three-pointer in the opening minute. Von Rosenberg took over from there, scoring Hartford's final six points of the period. His pair of free throws with 32 seconds remaining put the Hawks up five at 80-75.
Zeglinski played all 50 minutes of the contest and also added a career-high nine rebounds. Von Rosenberg had three steals and three assists and finished 9-of-10 from the free throw line. The Hawks played both overtimes without senior Bo Taylor and sophomore Michael Turner. Taylor finished with 10 points and four assists.
Lowe was selected BU's America East Player of the Game and led four players in double figures with a game-high 23 points. Strong went 6-of-7 from three-point range for the game and finished with 18 points. Scott Brittain recorded a double-double with 13 points and a game-high 10 rebounds.
BU shot 45 percent for the game, including 52 percent (15-of-29) from long range, but committed 23 turnovers. Hartford shot just 37 percent but got 25 points at the charity stripe and won the rebounding battle by a 44-36 margin.
Hartford will next play at the University of New Hampshire on Thursday, January 11 at 7 p.m.
