BOX SCORE
WACO, TX - The University of Hartford men's basketball team dropped a 74-59 decision at #21/#22 Baylor University on Monday night at the Ferrell Center.
Hartford (4-8 overall) pulled to within five with 4:27 to play but didn't make another shot from the floor for the rest of the game. Baylor (10-1 overall) sealed the win with an 11-1 run that included a 7-of-8 effort from the free throw line.
Senior Jaret von Rosenberg, playing in front of friends and family in his home state of Texas, led all scorers with 19 points. He also added a career-high nine assists and six rebounds. Curtis Jerrells led five Baylor players in double figures with 17 points and recorded a triple-double with 11 rebounds and 10 assists.
Neither team led by more than two over the first six minutes of the game. A layup by freshman Genesis Maciel tied the score at 10-10 with 14:00 to play. Baylor took control over the next nine minutes however, outscoring Hartford 18-5 to take its biggest lead at 28-15 with 4:38 remaining in the half.
The Hawks got back into the game in the final minutes of the stanza. Hartford closed the half with an 11-4 run and trailed 32-26 at the break. Von Rosenberg picked up the slack on offense for the Hawks by scoring 10 points in the half. The Hawks played without leading scorer Joe Zeglinski (ankle) for the second straight game.
Baylor opened the second half with seven straight points, but Harford answered right back with six straight to keep the pace. The Hawks played tough over the next eight minutes and pulled to within three two times. A pair of free throws by sophomore Morgan Sabia made it 56-53 with 8:02 to go.
Baylor tried to pull away again, scoring seven straight to push the lead back to double digits. Hartford cut the margin in half in an instant, as senior Michael Turner made a three from the corner and Baylor was whistled for a foul away from the ball. The basket was counted and von Rosenberg nailed two free throws to complete the “five-point” play.
Hartford shot 42 percent but committed 20 turnovers, including 11 in the second half. Maciel, who scored nine points and hit a pair of three-pointers in the second half, finished with 13 points.
Hartford will be back in action on Tuesday, December 30 at Stanford University. Tip-off is scheduled for 10:30 p.m.
