BOX SCORE
WEST HARTFORD, CT - The University of Hartford men's basketball team opened its 2008-09 campaign with a heartbreaking 63-62 defeat at the hands of Quinnipiac University Friday night in front of a crowd of 2,177 at Chase Arena at Reich Family Pavilion.
Quinnipiac (1-0 overall) was led by junior James Feldeine's 18 points and 10 rebounds. Senior Michael Turner led Hartford (0-1 overall) with 15 points and seven rebounds on the night. Classmate Jaret von Rosenberg was named the Nestle Purina ONE America East Player of the Game and finished with 10 points and six assists.
Hartford went into the halftime break with a 29-25 lead after a three-pointer by Turner as time expired. The Hawks would lead by as much as six with 8:23 left in the second half after sophomore Anthony Minor put in a layup for two of his 11 points on the night. Quinnipiac was able to cut the lead to one after a layup from sophomore Justin Rutty made it 58-57 with 2:52 to play.
Hartford was finally reeled in as the Bryan Geffen knocked home a three that pushed Quinnipiac ahead 60-58, the first lead for the Bobcats in the second half. The Hawks responded behind a von Rosenberg layup that tied it up at 60-60 with 1:31 to play.
That was as close as the game would get, however, as Quinnipiac's DeAndre' Bynum made a three from the corner with 58 seconds left to put Quinnipiac up 63-60. Turner would keep it close for the Hawks on the next trip down the court. He was fouled and made both free throws to cut the deficit to one.
Hartford trailed by the same margin but secured the final possession of the game and a chance at the win. After calling timeout with 6.9 seconds remaining, the Hawks put the ball in Zeglinski's hands for the final shot. He drove to the hoop but was rejected by Rutty with a second to play, and Rutty came away with the rebound to seal the outcome. Zeglinski was shut down by Quinnipiac's defense, going 1-for-10 from the field for two points.
Rutty scored 13 points and added a team-high 11 boards while going 6-for-10 from the field. Louis Brookins added eight points and seven boards for the Bobcats. Sophomore Kevin Estes scored nine points for the Hawks while classmate Morgan Sabia put in four points and grabbed seven boards.
The Hawks were out-rebounded by Quinnipiac 46-31 but only turned the ball over seven times compared to the Bobcats' 15. Turner and von Rosenberg led all players with three steals apiece.
Hartford will next face second-ranked University of Connecticut on Monday night at the XL Center in Hartford. Game time is set for 7 p.m. and the game will be televised live on MyTV9.
