BOX SCORE

DURHAM, N.H. - Facing a trip home in a potentially heavy snowstorm, the Hartford men's basketball team could not weather a storm on the court on Tuesday night as the New Hampshire Wildcats shot nearly 70 percent from three-point range in the second half to come from behind for a 57-54 victory. The loss is the first for Hartford in league play and snaps a three-game winning streak. New Hampshire moves to 1-3 in the conference.

Morgan Sabia scored 20 points to lead the way for Hartford, while Tyrone Conley led all scorers with a career-high 33. Conley shot 6-of-8 from long range in the second half to power the Wildcats' comeback. The duo were named the America East Players of the Game for their efforts.

Hartford had as much as a 16-point lead in the game, and led by 12 at the break. After falling behind 6-3 early, the Hawks went on a 20-4 run and cruised for the rest of the first half. Morgan Sabia and Genesis Maciel had nine points each to lead the team at halftime. New Hampshire, which finished 9-for-19 as a team from long range, was 0-for-6 in the first half.

The Hawks benefited early on from strong defense which forced 15 New Hampshire turnovers in the first half, while Hartford gave the ball away only four times. The Hawks continued to play efficient offense throughout, giving up just eight turnovers for the game, but New Hampshire improved its numbers in the second half and finished with just 20 giveaways overall.

With Hartford up 30-14 late in the first half, the Wildcats scored the final four points of the period to make it a 12-point game at the break. After halftime, New Hampshire looked like an entirely different team. The Wildcats continued their run and would eventually make it a 24-2 streak, giving them a 38-32 advantage with 14:42 to play in the game. It was the Wildcats' largest lead of the night.

Hartford battled back, and retook a 40-39 lead with 12:01 to play when Milton Burton knocked down a mid-range jumper. After the Wildcats built back up to a five-point lead, the Hawks once again battled back. Anthony Minor hit two free throws with 2:32 to play that made it a one-point game, 52-51 in favor of the Wildcats. Hartford tied it a minute later when Sabia buried a three-pointer from the right wing.

Unfortunately for the Hawks, that would be the end of their night on the offensive end. Conley hit 3-of-4 free throws in the final minute, and a last-second three-point attempt for the Hawks rattled off the back iron. New Hampshire knocked away the Hawks' inbounds play with less than a second on the clock to officially wrap up the game.

Hartford will have five days off before getting back to work next Monday night at Binghamton. The Hawks and Bearcats will tip off at 7:00 p.m. in Vestal, N.Y. All the action will be carried live on the flagship station of Hartford men's basketball, WDRC-1360 AM. Jeff Dooley and Randy LaVigne will have the call.