ORONO, ME ? The University of Hartford men's basketball team erased a 13-point second half deficit to pull out a 76-71 victory over the University of Maine on Monday night at Alfond Sports Arena.
In the process of making its biggest comeback of the season, Hartford (9-11 overall, 3-2 America East) also picked up its first road win and remained in the top half of the conference standings. Sophomore Joe Zeglinski scored 19 of his career-high 28 points in the second half and was 6-of-10 from three-point range. He was named America East Player of the Game.
The Hawks committed 13 turnovers in the first half and trailed 36-29 at the break. Maine (5-13 overall, 1-4 America East) scored 20 points off turnovers in the stanza and connected on 5-of-7 from three-point range. Junior Bernal led the first-half attack with 14 points for the Black Bears.
Things didn't turn around for the Hawks right away in the second half. Hartford went five minutes without a field goal and trailed 44-31 with 15:11 to remaining in the contest.
“I really challenged the team at halftime, and while it didn't work right away, we eventually responded,” said head coach Dan Leibovitz. “We started to pressure the ball more, we got some stops, and Joe and Morgan stepped up to hit some big shots. We were lucky to win this game, but we worked hard at it in the second half.”
Zeglinski answered with a three-pointer on the other end that sparked a 25-8 run for the Hawks. Zeglinski had 11 points during the run while freshman Morgan Sabia added eight points, including the go-ahead three-pointer that gave Hartford a 54-52 lead with 7:48 to go. Sophomore Jaret Von Rosenberg capped the stretch with a steal and a layup to extend the lead to four.
Maine battled back and regained the lead on three-pointers by Kaimondre Owes and Mark Socoby with 6:54 to play. The Black Bears were up three when Zeglinski canned his final three of the night to tie the game at 65-65 with 3:59 remaining. The Hawks then took the lead for good on a three-pointer by Sabia with 3:07 to go.
Hartford sealed the win by going 6-of-6 from the free throw line in the final 31 seconds. Zeglinski made two free throws with five seconds remaining to put the Hawks up three at 74-71, but Maine turned the ball over on the ensuing inbounds play and was forced to foul Von Rosenberg. He made both freebies to seal the victory.
“We needed a win after last week?we had a heartbreaking loss at UMBC, and we gave away a great opportunity against Albany. We needed this one to get back to the positive side and stay in the conference race.”
Sabia, who finished with 13 points and eight rebounds, played the final minutes of the game at the center spot after junior Warren McLendon fouled out. Junior Michael Turner added 12 points and seven rebounds while Von Rosenberg finished with 11 points and five assists. Owes led the Black Bears with 19 points while Bernal added 18.
Hartford shot 61 percent in the second half and 51 percent for the game. The Hawks turned the ball over 22 times but also forced 19 Maine turnovers. The Black Bears shot 41 percent from the floor and held a 38-32 edge on the glass.
Hartford returns home to host Stony Brook University on Thursday, January 24 at Chase Arena at Reich Family Pavilion. Tip-off is scheduled for 7 p.m.
