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UNCASVILLE, Conn. – In his first game as the head coach of the Hartford men's basketball team, John Gallagher could not have asked for a more intense, hard-fought game. The only thing he could have asked for was a win, as the Hawks fell to Central Connecticut State in the final seconds, 64-62. Morgan Sabia opened his senior season with a monster game, going off for 23 points and 13 rebounds for his third-career double-double. Both marks were career highs.
Hartford held a 14-point lead in the first half and led for much of the second frame, but the Blue Devils fought back and took the lead for good with 48 seconds to play. Joe Zeglinski, who finished with 13 points, nailed a long three-pointer in the game's final seconds to make it a one-point game, but Central's Shemik Thompson hit one-of-two free throws to push the lead back up to two, and Hartford could not get off a final shot attempt.
Hartford took control of the game midway through the first half. With Central up 10-8 and 12:39 left on the clock, the Hawks turned up the defensive pressure, forcing a series of Blue Devil turnovers that led to an impressive 14-0 run. Morgan Sabia had eight points during the run, including two three-pointers. Sabia hit 5-of-6 first-half shots, including both long-distance attempts. He finished 9-of-17 on the day.
“I've been telling him all off-season that he can be this type of player for us,” Gallagher said when asked about Sabia. “We think he has the potential to be a first team All-America East type of player. That's what he looked like tonight.”
Despite the Blue Devils coming in with a stronger reputation for physical play, the Hawks benefited from a strong inside game. The Hawks won the rebounding battle 39-31, and dominated the offensive glass. Hartford pulled down 17 offensive boards, one shy of last year's season high. Sabia led the way with five. Hartford outscored Central 34-12 in the paint.
Senior Anthony Minor was a big part of that, starting and scoring eight points with four rebounds. Minor added two blocks to tie a career high and added three steals.
Defensively, the Hawks played an impressive game, something which Gallagher credits to his coaching staff. Hartford forced 18 Blue Devil turnovers in all, finishing with six blocks and seven steals. The Hawks managed 17 points off those Central turnovers.
Joe Zeglinski opened the season with 13 points, 11 of which came in the second half. He now sits just ten points behind Aaron Cook for third place in the Division I history of Hartford basketball at 1,590 for his career. Milton Burton also finished in double figures with 10 points and five rebounds.
Vince Rosario led the way for Central with 17 points. Shemik Thompson added 16, including three free throws in the final minute of the game. Robby Ptacek, who also hit big late free throws, finished with 10.
Hartford will be back in action on Tuesday against another Connecticut 6 member when they visit Quinnipiac. Tip off is set for 7 p.m. in Hamden. Fans who can't make it down to Southern Connecticut can tune into the Hartford Hawks Basketball Network and its flagship station, WDRC-1360 AM. Jeff Dooley and Randy LaVigne will have the call.
