WEST HARTFORD, CT ? The University of Hartford men's basketball team fought back but couldn't overcome a rough first half, falling to the University at Albany by a 73-63 final on Saturday night at Chase Arena at Reich Family Pavilion.
The Hawks (8-11 overall, 2-2 America East) shot just 19 percent in the first half and didn't score their first field goal until the 10:37 mark. Albany (9-9 overall, 4-2 America East) led by as many as 19 points in the stanza and held a 31-18 lead at the break.
Hartford came out a different team in the second half, using a full court press to turn up the pressure. The Hawks made their first four shots of the half?including three-pointers by Michael Turner, Morgan Sabia and Jaret Von Rosenberg?but didn't make up much ground. Albany's Brent Wilson answered Hartford's final two three-pointers with treys of his own, and a jumper by Brian Connelly pumped the lead back to 17 at 46-29 with 16:16 remaining.
The Hawks countered with a 14-0 run over the next five minutes to get back into the game. Sophomore Joe Zeglinski started the run with a three-pointer and Von Rosenberg added a pair of layups and a free throw. Hartford closed the gap to six on a Sabia dunk and then got as close as 46-43 on a three-point play by Von Rosenberg with 11:21 to play.
The Great Danes recovered with a pair of baskets to remain in the lead, but the Hawks later cut the deficit back to three at 52-49 on a pair of free throws from junior Warren McLendon. On Albany's ensuing possession, Hartford's defense forced the ball out of bounds with two seconds left on the shot clock. Wilson found Jon Iati on the inbounds play for a three-pointer that swung the momentum back to the Great Danes.
In the final two minutes, Hartford cut the lead to 64-59 on a Zeglinski three-pointer but would get no closer. Albany closed out the win by going 9-of-10 from the free throw line. The Great Danes shot 83 percent from the charity stripe for the game.
Wilson and McLendon were named Nestle PurinaONE America East Players of the Game. Wilson finished with a team-high 17 points and added 11 rebounds and a pair of assists. McLendon led all scorers with 19 points and had seven rebounds.
Zeglinski (13 points) and Von Rosenberg (12 points) also finished in double figures for the Hawks while Jerel Hastings and Brian Lillis had big nights for the Great Danes. Hastings scored 16 points and pulled down five rebounds while Lillis finished with a double-double (15 points, 10 rebounds) and added five assists.
Albany shot 43 percent from the floor for the game and outrebounded Hartford 42-35. Hartford shot 47 percent in the second half to finish at 36 percent for the contest.
Hartford will next play at the University of Maine on Monday, January 21 at 7:30 p.m.
